2019 Volume 60 Issue 2 Pages 91-109
This study aimed to clarify psychological processes of sons caring for elderly mothers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 caregiving sons. Interview records were analyzed qualitatively, using the modified grounded theory approach. In advance, caregiving sons “felt being expected to care for their parents.” Furthermore, “they noticed that providing care began” when their daily lives changed. They reported being “confused with such a situation,” but when they were able to incorporate care into their lives, “they accepted it objectively.” “They considered carefully the end of their mother’s life” and reported having “ambivalent emotion even after finishing care.” However, caregiving sons were in danger of falling into a “psychological crisis” during every period of the care process. Meanwhile, “they accepted caregiving positively in their life.” Supporters need to assist caregiving sons so that the latter can accept the situation objectively and positively.
