What is the meaning of filial piety for people with dementia and their family caregivers in China under the current social transitions? An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

The filial piety model of family centred care has dominated Chinese society for thousands of years. The ways in which filial piety is presented are being modified and modernised as China undergoes social transitions. The study aims to understand the meaning of filial piety for people with dementia and family caregivers. Semi-structured interviews with people with dementia ( n = 10) and family caregivers ( n = 14) were conducted. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three themes emerged: (a) 'Being filial is a cultural continuity and my future investment'. (b) 'The changed perception and ways of being filial'. (c) 'Filial responsibility is a social and cultural convention, but not my personal choice'. This study highlights the importance of cultural values in family care decision making and in shaping filial responsibilities. It indicates that filial obligation can be maintained through social support, even though the nature of filial piety has been changed by social transitions.

Responsabilidade filial no cuidado aos pais idosos: estudo misto

“…It is also added that many children are responsible for meeting the financial demands of the elderly parents, which consequently entails a financial burden on the caregiver. (5) Filial Duty remained associated only with companionship and visitation and were similar to the results identified in the categories "Possibility of institutionalization," "Feelings of filial responsibility" and "Expectation of care." An important aspect is that, for children, the feelings of obligation and duty of filial responsibility, often instituted by social norms and laws, as in the case of Brazil, were not viewed negatively.…”

“…Another study (27) also emphasizes that, despite the stress experienced in care, caregivers reported a strong sense of filial duty, which motivates the provision of care to parents, reinforcing what was identified in another study in which care for elderly parents was considered as a duty or obligation by the caregivers. (5) It was found that the variables living with the elderly, having a higher level of schooling and being an older caregiver were important factors in helping the BADLs and IADLs. It can be inferred that the fact that the caregiver resides with the elderly favors the assistance in full-time BADLs.…”

“…(28) Moreover, the sense of duty can become a motivation and inspiration to care for elderly parents, despite the difficulties in adapting to this new role. (5) Caregivers report personal satisfaction in giving care to parents, as are paying back for the care they had as children. Another study (27) also emphasizes that, despite the stress experienced in care, caregivers reported a strong sense of filial duty, which motivates the provision of care to parents, reinforcing what was identified in another study in which care for elderly parents was considered as a duty or obligation by the caregivers.…”

“…It was found that filial responsibility is influenced by social and cultural norms, since care for the elderly is often not a choice of children, but rather a legal obligation or expectation of society. (5) Furthermore, a Swedish study showed that the feeling of exhaustion is the main factor for children to stop caring for their parents. It also showed that changes in people's lifestyles (little free time and strenuous work routines) can influence the cultural values related to the filial piety of caregivers, i.e., the obligation to provide care for the family or el-derly parents goes through a process of neglect or carelessness among the children.…”

Tensions in dementia care in China: An interpretative phenomenological study from Shandong province

“…Despite mental health services having been prioritised in the National Mental Health Work Plan (2015–2020) in China (Xiong & Phillips, ), dementia care services are still in developing. As most Chinese people with dementia rely on their family to care for them, there are few dementia support services provided by health professionals or voluntary organisations for either people with dementia or family caregivers (Wu, Gao, Chen, & Dong, ; Zhang, Clarke, & Rhynas, ). Zhensheng's support group at the Peking University Institute of Mental Health in Beijing was the first to be established in China (WHO, ).…”