Older persons' experiences of care in relation to adolescents in a resource-constrained environment

MSc (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015The intergenerational relationship between older people (G1) and younger people (G3) has, in recent years, prompted considerable research, internationally and nationally. This is due to changes in the socio-economic environment, which has contributed to these two generations to become mutually dependent upon each other in the caring relationship. A substantial number of studies focussed on the circumstances in which this kind of relationship occurs, how both generations are affected and how older people experience their role as caregivers. Evidence has been brought to light that the relationship is under strain, affecting social cohesion and the psychological health of both generations, particularly in rural South Africa, where the lack of economic resources and psychological support, contribute to the challenges within this relationship. It is for this reason that this study aims to contribute to the understanding of what type of care occurs in the intergenerational relationship and how it is demonstrated from the subjective perspectives of older people in a resource-constrained environment in relation to adolescents. Considerable contributions have been made to describe care in various contexts, which has revealed care as a multi-dimensional, relational construct. Care is described as occurring in specific reciprocal interactions (relationships), with activities (tangible) and devotion (intangible), directed towards the general enhancement of the well-being of the care-receiver, motivated by an ethical framework, and informed by the socio-cultural environment. This description reveals that care involves interactions between the two generations, which was explained in the study with Self-Interactional Group Theory (SIGT) as the theoretical framework. The study was conducted in the rural community of Vaalharts, on the border of the North-West and Northern Cape Provinces, in South Africa. Potentially, the insights gained from this study could contribute to the development of relevant interventions that are aimed to strengthen the intergenerational relationships, especially where it plays a critical role. Thirteen volunteers participated in the study (11 females and 2 men) above 60 years old. Visual (photographs of presentations made) and textual (verbatim transcriptions of audio recordings of the focus group sessions) data were obtained by using the Mmogo-method®, which is a culturally-sensitive data-gathering technique. The Mmogo-method® is used to gain understanding of the subjective experiences of care. Textual data were augmented by self-reflective journals which contained open-ended questions about care that the participants completed and returned voluntarily. This reflective feedback contributed to the trustworthiness of the study, which included various data- gathering techniques. Data were analysed through visual data and thematic (textual data) analysis. The most prominent themes that emerged indicated that physical (tangible) care was emphasised, that care is motivated by the possibility of reciprocity of care as well as the culturally-informed responsibility to care. The participants in the study mainly demonstrated care by teaching adolescents and by discipline (downward), and in turn, it is expected that adolescents will accept the teaching and be obedient (upward care). However, the participants expressed dissatisfaction with the adolescents’ ability to show them care, which could be explained by the limited view they have on how to give and receive care. Older people in an intergenerational caring relationship with adolescents could benefit from being presented with the importance of emotional care and how to express their needs for care more clearly. Understanding the importance of emotional care and understanding their own and the adolescents’ psycho-social developmental stage could benefit the psychological health of both parties.Master