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Exploring networks of care in the end-of-life context through eco maps: : feminist perspectives on caregiving in between family, community, and professionals in Sweden

Woodworth, Jamie LU (2024) In Community, Work and Family p.1-20
Abstract
More complex understanding of relationality in care networks around patients with life-limiting illness and their significant others is needed. This is the case not only because care is distributed unequally along gendered lines, but also because of the changing landscape of care in welfare states where families and communities are made more self-responsible. This study examines everyday experiences of support from six patients and nine significant others admitted to specialized palliative care in Sweden using a transdisciplinary approach uniting ‘eco maps’ and interviews. Findings indicate that while community can offer meaningful support, the ability of participants to accept that support was mixed. While professionals were welcomed in... (More)
More complex understanding of relationality in care networks around patients with life-limiting illness and their significant others is needed. This is the case not only because care is distributed unequally along gendered lines, but also because of the changing landscape of care in welfare states where families and communities are made more self-responsible. This study examines everyday experiences of support from six patients and nine significant others admitted to specialized palliative care in Sweden using a transdisciplinary approach uniting ‘eco maps’ and interviews. Findings indicate that while community can offer meaningful support, the ability of participants to accept that support was mixed. While professionals were welcomed in alleviating the individual and familial struggle of illness and loss, friends were seldom expected to help practically or emotionally. This was especially true for female informal caregivers, who tended to take on the emotional burden of caregiving alone. However, male patients expressed how increasing frailty opened up possibilities for caring masculinities where friends took on greater practical and emotional significance in their lives. This study contributes to field related and feminist literature by elaborating on care as an extended and relational practice shared and counter-balanced between multiple actors with differential roles and values. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
in
Community, Work and Family
pages
1 - 20
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85183895487
ISSN
1366-8803
DOI
10.1080/13668803.2024.2303998
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
ae0d9b8f-d72f-4aec-953b-7a9035c23b0a
date added to LUP
2024-01-30 10:35:52
date last changed
2024-02-26 13:59:12
@article{ae0d9b8f-d72f-4aec-953b-7a9035c23b0a,
  abstract     = {{More complex understanding of relationality in care networks around patients with life-limiting illness and their significant others is needed. This is the case not only because care is distributed unequally along gendered lines, but also because of the changing landscape of care in welfare states where families and communities are made more self-responsible. This study examines everyday experiences of support from six patients and nine significant others admitted to specialized palliative care in Sweden using a transdisciplinary approach uniting ‘eco maps’ and interviews. Findings indicate that while community can offer meaningful support, the ability of participants to accept that support was mixed. While professionals were welcomed in alleviating the individual and familial struggle of illness and loss, friends were seldom expected to help practically or emotionally. This was especially true for female informal caregivers, who tended to take on the emotional burden of caregiving alone. However, male patients expressed how increasing frailty opened up possibilities for caring masculinities where friends took on greater practical and emotional significance in their lives. This study contributes to field related and feminist literature by elaborating on care as an extended and relational practice shared and counter-balanced between multiple actors with differential roles and values.}},
  author       = {{Woodworth, Jamie}},
  issn         = {{1366-8803}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{04}},
  pages        = {{1--20}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Community, Work and Family}},
  title        = {{Exploring networks of care in the end-of-life context through eco maps: : feminist perspectives on caregiving in between family, community, and professionals in Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2024.2303998}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/13668803.2024.2303998}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}