Seeking filial affection versus authoritative management: A comparison of help-seeking patterns between older wife and husband caregivers

While help-seeking is one of the main coping strategies, some evidence suggests that social norms and gender-role expectations can affect help-seeking patterns and make them different between wife and husband caregivers. However, there is limited knowledge about these differences in Middle Eastern countries, such as Iran. This study investigated help-seeking differences between older husbands and wives caring for their spouses with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Iran. This qualitative study was a conventional content analysis using the Hsieh and Shannon approach, which utilized purposive sampling and in-depth interviews to select participants and collect data. Overall, 15 older spousal caregivers (nine wives and six husbands) participated in the study. Lincoln and Guba's criteria were used to evaluate data trustworthiness. Seeking filial affection versus Authoritative management was recognized as a central theme. Subthemes were Emotional help-seeking from children versus Internalizing emotions, Involving the children in Daddy's care versus Using community-based care services, and Passive financial help-seeking from children versus Seeking formal funding sources in the community. Older husbands and wives caring for their spouses with AD seek help differently due to cultural views and gender expectations, and they need education and awareness in this field. Healthcare providers and policymakers should consider these differences to develop gender-sensitive support interventions and services and reduce the caregiving burden for these older caregivers.