치매환자 가족의 돌봄 위기 경험에 관한 현상학적 연구

초록

This study applied Giorgi’s phenomenological method to explore the nature of caregiving crises experienced by families of dementia patients. Five family members with over one year of caregiving experience participated in in-depth interviews. Analysis yielded 25 meaning units, 10 themes, and five core meanings: imbalance of responsibility and relationship breakdown, depletion of caregivers’ physical and emotional resources, social isolation and identity loss, caregiving without institutional support, and the need for long-term care and systemic support. These were synthesized into an essential structure reflecting the structural reality and crisis faced by families bearing full caregiving responsibility. The findings suggest that caregiving crises are structural rather than individual, highlighting the need for social welfare interventions to support family mediation, emotional well-being, and access to institutional resources. A crisis intervention support system for families of dementia patients is recommended.

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