Research article summary (published 30 May 2008):

Psychosocial effects experienced by grandmothers as primary caregivers in rural Botswana.

Full Abstract

Studies on the psychosocial effects of grandmothers as primary caregivers in Botswana are non-existent. The purpose of this study was to close that knowledge gap. Twenty-five (n = 25) grandmothers who were primary caregivers to their grandchildren in one rural village of Botswana were interviewed twice a week between January and May 2006. A central theme that emerged from the interviews under psychological effects was 'disenfranchised grief' with sub themes that included depression, loneliness, blaming and stress. The themes that emerged on social effects included isolation, loss of control, unavailability of mental health services, financial hardships and a sense of failure for some participants. Implications for mental health practitioners and policy makers are given.

Author information

Author/s: Thupayagale-Tshweneagae, G (G);

Affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Nursing Education, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana. gthupayagale(-atsign-)yahoo.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing (J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 15 (issue 5) : pp 351-6

Dates: Created 2008/05/05; Completed 2008/07/21;

PMID: 18454819, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Aged Botswana Caregivers - psychology; statistics & numerical data Depression - epidemiology; psychology Female Humans

Intergenerational Relations Middle Aged Parenting Psychology Questionnaires Rural Population - statistics & numerical data

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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