Resolving to go forward: The experience of Latino/Hispanic family caregivers

Kathleen T. Lucke, Hernando Martinez, Thomas B. Mendez, Lyda C. Arévalo-Flechas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Little is known about the experiences and needs of family caregivers of Latino/Hispanic individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) during the early years of recovery. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to describe the experiences and identify the informational, decisional, interpersonal, and resource support needs of family caregivers of newly injured Latino/Hispanic individuals with SCI during the first 2 years after undergoing rehabilitation. "Resolving to go forward" was the core category that emerged from two simultaneous processes of "learning to care for" and "getting through" during the initial years as the primary informal caregiver. Most caregivers felt alone and abandoned after the injured person returned home, and experienced barriers to services and resources primarily because of language issues and economic status. We recommend that researchers develop and evaluate culturally appropriate, informal caregiving models to improve outcomes for both Latino individuals with SCI and their family caregivers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)218-230
Number of pages13
JournalQualitative Health Research
Volume23
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2013

Keywords

  • families, caregiving
  • grounded theory
  • health care disparities
  • rehabilitation
  • spinal cord injury

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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