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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Nursing
Notes
- Abstract:
- Background: Spouses are increasingly being asked to perform complex tasks similar to those carried out by paid health care providers, often at great cost to their own well-being and great benefit to their relatives and society as a whole. Caregiving typically involves a significant expenditure of time, energy, and money over potentially long periods of time; it involves tasks that may be unpleasant and uncomfortable and are psychologically stressful and physically exhausting. The public health significance of caregiving has spawned extensive literature in this area, much of it focused on dementia, Alzheimer’s, or cancer caregiving, but there is limited literature of caregiving related to sleep disorders such as severe sleep apnea. Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study using the phenomenology was to explore the lived experience of spouses as informal caregiver for patients with severe sleep apnea (OSAS). This study expanded knowledge in an area for this group that thus far lacks adequate investigation. Philosophical Underpinning: This qualitative study was based on Hermeneutic Phenomenology. Methods: A purposive sample of 14 participants, all of whom were spouses of patients with severe sleep apnea, was selected to explore the overarching question: What is the lived experience of spouses as informal caregiver of severe sleep apnea patients? Data collection occurred from semi-structured interviews that were tape-recorded, transcribed for verification, and member checked. Data analysis included describing, interpreting, and textual writing as guided by van Manen. Results: Themes of similar categories were identified using interpretive methods. The analysis revealed themes that clustered into six groups, which served to organize the themes in a meaningful way around various aspects of the participants' experiences. The emerging themes were Unknowing, Monitoring, Learning, Depriving, Overwhelming, and Escaping as a total representation of informal caregivers of patients with severe sleep apnea patients. Conclusions: This research study uncovered the challenges confronting the informal caregivers of severe OSAS patients. Possible ways nurses can help this population deal with the experience are by forming support groups.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Barry University, 2014.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 167-186).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Delia Leal. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- RC737.5.L43 2014_LealDelia ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- RC737.5.L43 2014 ( lcc )
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