Informal Caregivers’ Caregiving Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Biopsychosocial Analysis

This nationwide study uses Engel’s biopsychosocial model to explore the biological, psychological, and social aspects of older informal caregivers’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through purposive sampling, we conducted in-depth interviews with 81 participants from the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement (HWR) longitudinal study. This paper employs the biopsychosocial model to holistically analyse these experiences, identifying support needs for older informal caregivers. Using grounded theory, our analysis reveals a mix of positive and negative experiences among informal caregivers. Findings suggest that support systems and COVID-19 guidelines for older informal caregivers in Aotearoa New Zealand were poorly understood, with varying levels of positive and negative impacts reported by participants. This paper highlights the resilience and unmet needs of older informal caregivers during the pandemic, demonstrating the value of biopsychosocial model in understanding their experiences and needs for culturally responsive, accessible and better-communicated support systems.