The continuum of dependent family care: a theoretical explanation and model

ABSTRACT

Caring for dependents with disabilities and how this type of care differs from the care of typically developing dependents has largely remained unaddressed in the work–family literature, partly because of a lack of theoretical development on the concept of dependent family care. Studies examining dependent family care often apply a life course perspective, missing key disability factors influencing dependent family care demands and need for resources. This article develops a theoretical framework of dependent family care that accounts for both typical care, which follows the life course trajectory, and exceptional care, which follows a disability trajectory. We position dependent family care as based on a continuum, achieved by adapting life course theory, family adjustment to chronic illness, ecological systems theory, stigma theory and the social model of disability into a model. We explain how dependent family care occurs and what contributes to whether one is engaging in typical or exceptional care. We draw broad constructs representing predictors of different types of dependent family care. We provide specific examples to illustrate how one might test theoretical propositions, an agenda for further research and discuss implications for family–work–community research and practice.

RESUMEN

El cuidado de dependientes con capacidades diferentes difiere del cuidado atención y servicio de dependientes en desarrollo típico y natural, en la literatura trabajo-familia, ha permanecido en gran parte sin abordar debido a la falta de desarrollo teórico sobre el concepto de cuidado familiar en un núcleo normal y natural dependiente. Los estudios que examinan el cuidado la interacción familiar dependiente a menudo aplican una perspectiva de curso de vida, en estos, faltan los factores clave de capacidad diferente, que influyen en las demandas de cuidado familiar dependiente y la necesidad de recursos. Este artículo desarrolla un marco teórico de la atención familiar dependiente que considera tanto la atención típica, que sigue la trayectoria del ciclo de vida, como la atención excepcional, que sigue una trayectoria de capacidad diferente. Posicionamos el cuidado familiar dependiente basado en un curso continuo, logrando adaptar la teoría del curso de la vida, el ajuste familiar a la enfermedad crónica, la teoría de sistemas ecológicos, la teoría del estigma y el modelo social de discapacidad en un modelo. Explicamos cómo se produce el cuidado familiar dependiente y lo que contribuye si uno se dedica a una atención típica o excepcional. Dibujamos conceptos amplios que representan predictores de diferentes tipos de cuidado familiar dependiente. Proporcionamos ejemplos específicos para ilustrar cómo se pueden probar las propuestas teóricas, una agenda para futuras investigaciones y discutir las implicaciones para la investigación y la práctica de la familia, el trabajo y la comunidad.

KEYWORDS:

• Dependent family care
• family demands
• eldercare
• disability
• theory development

PALABRAS CLAVE:

• Cuidado de un familiar dependiente
• demandas familiares
• cuidado de ancianos
• discapacidad
• desarollo theórico

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Lisa Stewart is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work within the College of Health Sciences and Human Services at California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB). Her research interests focus on developing and testing comprehensive strategies that address the specific workplace challenges faced by family caregivers with exceptional care responsibilities (ECR). Prior to her appointment at CSUMB Dr Stewart worked as a Research Associate at the Center for Work-family Stress, Safety and Health at Portland State University. She received her PhD in Social Work and Social Research in 2009 from Portland State University. She currently teaches applied research courses in the Master of Social Work Program at CSUMB.

Hannah Stutz is a graduate student in the Department of Social Work’s Master of Social Work Program. Hannah anticipates completing her Master’s degree in Spring 2018. She plans to pursue a PhD in Counseling.

Walter Lile is a recent graduate of the Department of Social Work’s Master of Social Work Program at CSUMB. Mr Lile currently works for the CHOICES Intensive Day Program with Interim Inc. as a Behavioral Counselor in Salinas, California.

ORCID

Lisa Stewart http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5423-8901

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by California State University, Monterey Bay (Faculty Support Grant AY2017-2018).