A thematic analysis of the self-care practices of caregivers in a caregiving organization for children with special needs

• Main Authors: Cachero, Luis L., III, Del Carmen, Micah M., Melo, Lian Margareth, Tan, Sara Kelly T.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2017
• Subjects: Caregivers > Philippines; Self-care, Health > Philippines; Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/5745
• Institution: De La Salle University

Numerous studies on caregiving focus on the burnout and stress aspects of caregiving. However, the self-care aspect of caregiving has yet to be conducted. The purpose of this study is to explore and understand as to how caregivers take care of themselves amidst the challenges they face in their work. Data was collected from six caregivers who shared their experiences thru semi-structured interviews. Using thematic analysis, the researchers were able to identify a total of six master themes: caregivers in distress, self-care strategies, taking care of self before others, self-care in action, balancing needs of self and others, and unexpected turn of events. The data from this study suggest that self-care practices are used as means to perform caregiver responsibilities effectively. It is expected that the themes found in the study will provide practitioners, companies and organizational leaders a realization of the importance of self-care to their own nurses, employees and caregivers and hopefully, can lead to the identification and implementation of self-care programs and mental health awareness programs.