Open AccessThe Cost of Isolation
Author(s) -
Sheila A. Boamah,
Vanina Dal Bello-Haas,
Rachel Weldrick
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
social science protocols
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2516-8053
DOI - 10.7565/ssp.v4.6190
Subject(s) - photovoice , social isolation , pandemic , isolation (microbiology) , mental health , psychology , focus group , covid-19 , family caregivers , caregiver burden , nursing , gerontology , sociology , medicine , economic growth , dementia , psychiatry , disease , pathology , anthropology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , microbiology and biotechnology , economics , biology
Background: Recent research has found that family (e.g., informal, unpaid) caregivers to those in long-term care can experience significant risk of social isolation, a harmful social outcome linked to poor health and wellbeing. For many, the COVID-19 global pandemic has been a time marked by challenges that have exacerbated existing risk of social isolation and has likely impacted mental health and wellbeing among caregivers. As such, this paper outlines a protocol to investigate the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the psychological health and well-being of family caregivers of people living in residential long-term care.
Methods/Design: A descriptive phenomenological design and photovoice methodology will be used alongside focus groups to capture the perspectives and voices of 15-20 family caregivers. Data will be analyzed thematically, and themes will be developed collaboratively alongside participants. A secondary analysis will be guided by a cumulative inequality lens to consider how the COVID-19 pandemic has differentially affected caregivers.
Discussion: The results will fill a significant gap in the existing literature on caregiver isolation during this pandemic and inform the development and/or refinement of caregiver supports.