Factors That Help Women's Adaptation to Their Elderly Mothers' Care

Abstract

　　The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that help women's adaptation to their elderly mothers' care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven female caregivers. Interviewees chronologically recounted memorable events in their caring experience including their feelings, behaviors, mental and physical conditions on each situation. They also described their relationship with their mothers and the people around them. Information obtained from the interviews was used to create flow charts to analyze similarities and differences between the interviewees. The results showed that female caregivers' ill feelings toward their mothers caused their mental fatigue. These ill feelings originated in their early childhood and adolescence burst to the surface with the stress of the caregivers in the later years when they had to take care of their mothers. On the other hand, female caregivers' own principles guiding their lives and close cooperation with their siblings have made their adaptation possible. Women who have already established their own guiding principles for their lives could actively care in their own ways using various social supports. It was indicated that women who have an overly-close relationship with their mothers would miss an opportunity to relieve their ill feelings toward their mothers. It was suggested that respect for their individual lives as well as their mothers' could encourage their adaptation to their nursing care.