Coping strategies of the sandwich generation in the care process: a qualitative study.

Publication date: Dec 04, 2024

The sandwich generation refers to individuals who are simultaneously responsible for caring for their aging parents and their own children. Research shows that the number of sandwich generation caregivers is increasing, and they face significant physical, psychological, social, and economic challenges. Therefore, it is crucial for these caregivers to develop effective coping strategies. This study aimed to identify the coping mechanisms used by sandwich generation caregivers. In 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 18 sandwich generation caregivers in Tehran, Iran, who were responsible for both elderly parents and their own children. These interviews were conducted either in person or by telephone. Subsequently, the collected data were analyzed using the inductive content analysis method within the MAXQDA software (2018 version). Data analysis revealed three categories of coping strategies: “distancing from the situation”, “self-soothing” (including sub categories of spiritual matters, establishing relationships, emotional outlet, and engaging in favorite activities), and “diversifying responses to needs” (including transferring responsibility to the family members, prioritizing needs for responsiveness, utilizing available community services, mediating to reduce conflict, and remote monitoring of the older adult). Sandwich generation caregivers use various coping strategies, each with different outcomes. This study found that self-care and using social resources can greatly reduce caregiving burdens. Therefore, providing these caregivers with training in problem-solving and self-care skills is recommended to better prepare them for their responsibilities.

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Concepts Keywords
Diversifying Adaptation, Psychological
Iran Adult
Parents Aged
Sandwich Aged, 80 and over
Caregivers
Children
Coping Skills
Coping skills
COVID-19
Family caregiver
Female
Humans
Intergenerational Relations
Interviews as Topic
Iran
Male
Middle Aged
Older adults
Parents
Qualitative Research
Sandwich generation

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease IDO process
disease MESH COVID-19 pandemic
drug DRUGBANK Tropicamide
pathway REACTOME Reproduction
drug DRUGBANK Coenzyme M
disease MESH chronic conditions
disease IDO country
disease MESH work family balance
drug DRUGBANK Isoxaflutole
disease IDO role
disease MESH perfectionism
disease MESH infection
disease MESH Emotional exhaustion
disease MESH depression
disease MESH strokes
disease MESH multiple sclerosis
disease MESH cerebral palsy
disease IDO intervention
drug DRUGBANK Etoperidone
drug DRUGBANK Serine
disease MESH psychiatric disorders
drug DRUGBANK Dimercaprol
drug DRUGBANK Water
disease MESH home environment
disease MESH anxiety
drug DRUGBANK Chlordiazepoxide
pathway REACTOME Release
disease MESH tic
disease MESH privacy
drug DRUGBANK Pentaerythritol tetranitrate
drug DRUGBANK Trestolone
drug DRUGBANK Aspartame
disease IDO blood
disease MESH bedsores
disease MESH urinary incontinence
disease MESH psychological stress
drug DRUGBANK Tretamine
drug DRUGBANK Piroxicam
drug DRUGBANK Methionine
disease IDO quality
drug DRUGBANK Creatinolfosfate
disease MESH burnout
disease MESH caregiver burnout

Original Article

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