Understanding the experiences of caring for a partner with myalgic encephalopathy: a qualitative study of men in Norway, Torp, 2022 (Master’s Thesis)

Source: Inland Norway University
Date: September 20, 2022
URL: https://brage.inn.no/inn-xmlui/handle/11250/3019314


Understanding the experiences of caring for a partner with myalgic encephalopathy: a qualitative study of men in Norway
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Elise Torp
- Inland Norway University


Abstract

Background
Informal caring is expanding in many countries as populations age. There
is a lot of research on how to care responsibilities are experienced by
next of kin, but there is little research on men, which is the focus of
this study. This specific focus is Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME), which is
a condition that often affects women. This means that it is men who
often find themselves in a caring role.

Aim
This project aims to explore what it was like for Norwegian men to have
a caring role toward a partner with ME and how it affects everyday life.

Method
A qualitative approach was used. Ten semi-structured interviews were
conducted, and the participants were recruited from different places in
Norway. All were between the ages of 30 to 60 years old and were caring
for a partner for several years. To analyze the data, thematic analysis
was used, to find different patterns in the data.

Results
A data emerged two main themes and seven under the themes “experiencing
the impact of caring for a partner with ME on everyday life “and
providing different kinds of support. The experience around the role of
caring was influenced by several factors, such as changes in finances
and family dynamics as well as accessing formal support. Overall, the
mean men felt that being in a caring role meant that life was being put
on hold.

Conclusion
Findings from this study help to strengthen previous research. Having a caring role for a sick partner with ME was demanding and greatly affects everyday life. Men found the role of care challenging and it could
negatively affect the person psychologically. For most people in a caring role, there was potential for better support both emotionally and financially.

 

I assume "mean men" is a mis-translation issue, and should be something like "average man".

 

It's even funnier when you consider the context of the whole sentence: