Traci H Abraham1, Sarah S Ono, Helene Moriarty, Laraine Winter, Ryan E Bender, Ray Facundo, Gala True. 1. VA Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (Dr Abraham) and VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education & Clinical Center (Dr Abraham), Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, North Little Rock; Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock (Dr Abraham); Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon (Dr Ono and Ms Bender); Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland (Dr Ono); Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova, Pennsylvania (Dr Moriarty), Nursing Service, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Dr Moriarty); Philadelphia Research and Education Foundation, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Dr Winter); VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans (Mr Facundo and Dr True); and Section on Community and Population Medicine, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans (Dr True).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Describe the different forms of emotion work performed by family caregivers of veterans living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Collaborators were provided cameras to take photographs illustrating their experiences as family caregivers. The meaning behind caregiver photographs was solicited using photoelicitation interviews and coded. SETTING: Homes of veterans or other informal settings in 2 regions of the United States served by the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System and the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six family caregivers of post-9/11 era veterans with TBI. RESULTS: Caregivers described performing different types of intangible, and largely invisible, work centered on emotion management. Emotion work primarily involved creating a new normal, keeping things calm, and suppressing their own emotional experiences to "put on a brave face." Although having derived a sense of satisfaction and identity from their role, caregivers acknowledged that emotion work was challenging and sometimes stressful. The Photovoice method allowed caregivers to express through metaphor experiences that otherwise would have been hard to articulate and share with others. CONCLUSION: Findings signal a need for healthcare systems and providers to acknowledge emotion work as a potential source of stress and to provide multifaceted support for veterans and family caregivers.
OBJECTIVE: Describe the different forms of emotion work performed by family caregivers of veterans living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Collaborators were provided cameras to take photographs illustrating their experiences as family caregivers. The meaning behind caregiver photographs was solicited using photoelicitation interviews and coded. SETTING: Homes of veterans or other informal settings in 2 regions of the United States served by the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System and the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six family caregivers of post-9/11 era veterans with TBI. RESULTS: Caregivers described performing different types of intangible, and largely invisible, work centered on emotion management. Emotion work primarily involved creating a new normal, keeping things calm, and suppressing their own emotional experiences to "put on a brave face." Although having derived a sense of satisfaction and identity from their role, caregivers acknowledged that emotion work was challenging and sometimes stressful. The Photovoice method allowed caregivers to express through metaphor experiences that otherwise would have been hard to articulate and share with others. CONCLUSION: Findings signal a need for healthcare systems and providers to acknowledge emotion work as a potential source of stress and to provide multifaceted support for veterans and family caregivers.