Role Ambiguity Among Women Providing Care for Ex-Husbands

Abstract

Twenty-one women were interviewed regarding their caregiving experiences for ill or dying ex-husbands. Emergent in the analyses was the variety of ways in which they experienced role ambiguity as ex-wife caregivers. This article describes the role ambiguity ex-wife caregivers encountered interpersonally through interactions with network members, institutionally in dealing with professionals and the workplace, and intrapersonally in confusion over their roles and feelings. Consequences of role ambiguity are discussed, and recommendations for policy and practice are made in light of the aging population, changing family forms, and women's care roles.

Ambivalence and Living Apart Together in Later Life: A Critical Research Proposal

“…In cases where LLAT partners do eventually provide care despite a starting assumption that this would not occur, are the family members, especially children, expected or likely to support their parents' caregiving efforts? Given that some ex‐wives care for their ex‐husbands, primarily as an expression of their commitment to helping their children (Cooney, Proulx, Snyder‐Rivas, & Benson, ), perhaps children of parents who LLAT become implicated in caregiving chains that contradict expectations of filial obligation. How is such ambivalence resolved?…”

Capturing Family Complexity in Family Nursing Research and Practice

“…The consequence of definitions that privilege genetic and legal ties, such as some of those noted earlier, is the loss of information about other family members who may play critical roles in the health of patients. Given the high rates of divorce, cohabitation, and remarriage in contemporary families, former romantic partners or steprelatives and chosen kin may increasingly contribute to the health care management of today's children and adults (Cooney et al, 2014;Sanner et al, 2020). In a small qualitative investigation, Cooney and colleagues (2014) found women who provided care for their ill or dying ex-husbands often experienced substantial role ambiguity in part because of their lack of recognition or capability to access support from health care institutions and professionals.…”