Dyadic Process and Dynamics of Family Caregiving and Receiving in Suicide Recovery

Date of Award

5-1-2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Major in Clinical Psychology

First Advisor

Arsenio S. Alianan, Jr., PhD

Abstract

Along with the increasing number of suicidality among college students, efforts are needed for suicide prevention and promotion of mental health care among young adults including effective care and support from their family members. Despite numerous studies about suicidality and caregiving, certain processes and dynamics in these phenomena were scarcely explored. This grounded theory study aims to unravel the actions, interactions, and processes involved in caregiving and receiving between five Filipino family caregivers and five college-aged care-receivers who recovered from suicidality. Data was analysed following Charmaz’s Constructivist Grounded Theory and Synthesized Member Checking ensured the credibility of the findings. Results of the study illustrates a seven-phased process model capturing two important dynamics in the phenomenon: dyadic interactions and family systems among the small Philippine sample. The C.A.R.E. Model presents the processes involved in this phenomenon, which include Calling-on, Contemplating, Accepting, Allowing, Responding, Reciprocating, and Empowering. This model sheds light on the processes and dynamics of care within families, and can help families and mental health professionals in dealing with suicidality within the family as well as in revisiting dynamics which may hinder proper care.

Keywords: family caregiving, dyadic process, family dynamics, suicide

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