Spiritual practices and experiences integrated into the coping and self-care of informal caregivers of older adults

Abstract

Introduction: Informal caregiving for older adults involves physical, emotional, social, and relational demands that can affect the well-being of the caregiver. Spirituality and religiosity can provide meaning to this experience, facilitate coping, and form part of self-care.

Objective: To analyze the integration of spiritual practices and experiences into the coping and self-care strategies of informal caregivers of older adults.

Method: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted with 33 informal caregivers from Biobío and Atacama, Chile, selected through purposive sampling. Semi-structured in-person interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis of the transcripts was performed from May to September 2023.

Results: The findings were organized into four thematic cores: spiritual practices and experiences and their influence on the caregiver role; spirituality and religiosity in the exercise of caregiving; spiritual strategies for coping with challenges; and self-care practices for health and well-being. Religious, personal spiritual, and community practices were identified, as were ways of attributing meaning to the role, problem-focused coping, emotional balance, and the search for support, in addition to prayer, meditation, community participation, gratitude, and petition. The demands of caregiving also limited personal and spiritual activities.

Conclusions: Spirituality and religiosity are integrated in diverse ways into the caregiving experience and can contribute to meaning-making, emotional regulation, the search for support, and spiritual self-care. Their expression depends on the conditions under which the caregiver role is exercised.