Abstract

This qualitative study applied thematic analysis to semi-structured interviews with 15 key informants who self-identified as primary caregivers to at least one grandchild. Using Family Systems Theory and Theory of Planned Behavior as guiding frameworks, this study reports grandparent caregivers’ end-of-life planning behaviors while illuminating factors influencing these behaviors. The analysis revealed two themes related to grandparents’ communicative behaviors surrounding end-of-life planning (formal and informal behaviors) and four themes related to factors that influence grandparents’ end-of-life planning (emotional paradoxes, legal/custodial conundrums, concerns about child wellbeing, and resources needed to plan). Findings extend end-of-life planning literature to often overlooked nontraditional family populations.

摘要

这项定性研究将主题分析应用于对 15 名自认为是至少一个孙辈的主要照顾者的关键信息提供者的半结构化访谈。本研究以家庭系统理论和计划行为理论为指导框架，报告了祖父母照顾者的临终计划行为，同时阐明了影响这些行为的因素。该分析揭示了与祖父母围绕临终计划的交流行为（正式和非正式行为）相关的两个主题，以及与影响祖父母临终计划的因素相关的四个主题（情绪悖论、法律/监护难题、担忧关于儿童福祉，以及规划所需的资源）。调查结果将临终规划文献扩展到经常被忽视的非传统家庭人口。