10 Integrating Intergenerational Family Caregiving Challenges Across Discipline and Culture Identity, Attribution, and Relationship

Abstract

In the past few decades, worldwide increases in chronic illness and life expectancies have drastically amplified the burden experienced by family caregivers. As a result of their many responsibilities, caregivers are prone to greater physical, psychological, and relational strain as compared to their peers. The goal of this chapter is to spur interdisciplinary research to aid intergenerational family caregivers by integrating research from different disciplines and cultures. Three central communication challenges faced by caregivers (identity, attribution, and relationship) serve as reference points for this discussion.