Motivations and willingness to provide care from a geographical distance, and the impact of distance care on caregivers’ mental and physical health: a mixed-method systematic review protocol

Abstract

IntroductionDistance caregivers (DCGs) are a growing population with substantial contribution to informal care. While a reasonable amount is known on the determinants of motives and willingness to provide local informal care, and the local caregiver outcomes, reports for the distance caregiving population are lacking. An evidence synthesis of what motivates and makes DCGs willing to care from a distance and the impact of that care on their mental and physical health would highlight any gaps or consensus in knowledge. This would guide the research needed towards the development of tailored interventions, in order to support DCGs and promote the sustainability of distance care.Methods and analysisThis protocol adheres to Preferred Items for Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Methodology for mixed-method reviews. A comprehensive search strategy will be conducted in four electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed and PsycINFO). Grey literature will also be assessed to minimise publication bias. Two independent reviewers will assess each study for inclusion and any discrepancies will be resolved with the consultation of a third reviewer. Eligible studies for inclusion will be English language studies exploring the motives and willingness to care for a care recipient with a chronic disease, disability or frailty from a geographical distance; or studies focusing on the mental and physical health outcomes of DCGs. Qualitative and quantitative data will be integrated in a single qualitative synthesis following the JBI convergent integrated approach. Study quality will be assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool version 2018.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required for this study as no primary data will be collected. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and presentations at academic conferences and lay summaries for various stakeholders.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020156350.

How Culture Shapes Informal Caregiver Motivations: A Meta-Ethnographic Review

“…the stage and severity of a care recipient’s illness, caregiver’s life stage, family structure, geographical distance between the care recipient and caregiver; e.g. Bei et al, 2021). Additionally, even though cultural values around caregiving were strongly rooted and seen to have a vital role in shaping motivations for caregiving, the boundaries of understanding what caregiving should entail (as prescribed by the cultural values) may change in the face of transitions in the care recipient’s experience.…”

“…Informal caregiving is the provision of typically unpaid care to a relative or friend with a chronic illness, disability or other long-lasting health and care needs (Revenson et al, 2016). An ageing population, smaller family size and greater geographic and social mobility place considerable demands on informal caregivers whose contribution to the sustainability of health and social care systems is significant (Bei et al, 2021; Börsch-Supan, 2019). Given the importance informal caregiving holds for society, it is essential to understand what motivates people to provide informal care.…”

Cultural factors associated with burden in unpaid caregivers of older adults: A systematic review

“…Moreover, the reasons for providing care to older adults (i.e. love, affection, family relationship, friendship and reciprocity) (Bei et al, 2021) may help avoid the negative consequences of care (Romero‐Moreno et al, 2011). With regard to living with the older care recipient, Chan et al (2021), Del‐Pino‐Casado et al (2014) and Skarupski et al (2009) found an association with greater burden.…”

A Multinational Longitudinal Study Incorporating Intensive Methods to Examine Caregiver Experiences in the Context of Chronic Health Conditions: Protocol of the ENTWINE-iCohort

“…Research has commonly identified love and affection as the primary motivation for adopting a typically unpaid caregiver role [ 7 , 8 ] along with motives of duty and reciprocity [ 9 ]. However the complexity of dyadic relationships and attachments [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], the existence of varying cultural norms, values and obligations [ 15 , 16 ], competing social and economic demands on potential caregivers [ 17 ] and the fact that modern families tend not to be as geographically co-located as in previous generations [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ] are less typically examined in relation to their influence on caregiver motivations. We face major challenges if we are to meet the demand for care (including informal care) across Europe on a societal (and often familial) assumption of family member willingness to adopt a caregiving role in the home or community.…”