Conjoint et aidant : le vécu du processus d’identification au rôle d’aidant et ses implications pour les conjoints-aidants

Abstract

Informal caregivers provide care to a close one experiencing impairments, such as loss of autonomy due to aging or chronic illnesses such as dementia or cancer. Their support can range from offering emotional support to performing minor medical tasks. However, many caregivers do not identify with the label “caregiver”. This can prevent them to seek for assistance, due to a lack of recognition in this label and negatively affect their physical and mental health. This impact on health is seems especially pronounced when the care-recipient is (1) a spouse and (2) suffering from dementia. To gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, it is essential to explore how the term “caregiver” is conceptualized in both psychological literature and legal frameworks. This thesis used both qualitative and quantitative research, to examine factors influencing identification with the caregiving role and its implications for spouse caregivers’ health and well-being. Overall, the findings highlight the significant role of caregiving experiences in shaping caregivers’ self-perception, positioning caregiver identity as an integral part of the caregiving experience rather than a protective or risk factor. This work thus broadens our understanding of spouse caregiving and offers valuable insights for developing better support systems for spouse caregivers.(PSYE - Sciences psychologiques et de l'éducation) -- UCL, 202