Adult daughters providing post-stroke care to a parent: a qualitative study of the impact that role overload has on lifestyle, participation and family relationships

Objective: To qualitatively explore daughters’ experiences with and response to holding multiple roles while providing post-stroke care to a parent.

Design: Qualitative study using a descriptive approach. Semi-structured interviewing was used. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed to develop themes. Setting: General community of a metropolitan city.  Participants: Twenty-three adult daughters caring for a community-dwelling parent who had suffered a stroke.

Interventions: Not applicable. Main outcome measures: Not applicable.

Results: Role overload is a salient issue for daughter caregivers. This overload is best captured by the analogy of “juggling” multiple role demands and responsibilities. Two key themes suggest that role overload resulting from parent care affects daughters’: 1) valued relationships (e.g. challenges develop in their relationship with children and partner); and 2) ability to participate in valued activities (e.g. reduced involvement in leisure activities and restricted employment).

Conclusions: Future support efforts should help daughters manage the caregiving role in light of other responsibilities. This can mitigate overload-related strain in valued relationships and decreased participation in valued activities, thereby contributing to better health and well-being for daughter caregivers.