Men's experience of caring for a family member with cancer: a theory based on data.

Abstract

Objective: to understand the meaning attributed by men to the experience of caring for their family member with cancer and to develop a substantive theory that represents the experience of men caring for their family member with cancer.

Method: this is qualitative research guided by the methodological framework of Grounded Theory and the precepts of Symbolic Interactionism. A form with identification and interview data was used. The analysis followed the substantive and theoretical coding stages.

Results: 12 male caregivers of their family member with cancer participated. The constant comparative analysis of the data allowed the creation of a substantive theory "Experiencing the care of a family member with cancer: men as a caregivers" explaining the experience that has as its central category "The love that drives care", representing the symbolic actions and attitudes of men living in the context of illness due to cancer and care.

Conclusion: the theory allowed us to understand feelings, perceptions, ways of acting and facing the diagnosis, providing care, recognizing difficulties and learning from the situations that arise, making explicit the interactional processes and symbolic elements present and how these influence male caregivers in their actions and attitudes.

Background: (1) For men, caring is a choice (2) Taking care symbolizes a way of expressing love and reciprocation. (3) Love in caring is strengthened by reciprocity, commitment, gratitude and zeal. (4) To provide care, man reorganizes himself and adjusts to the conditions that present themselves (5) Male caregivers need to be heard and included in the actions of health teams.