Resilience of Family Caregivers that Care for Dependent Elderly and Practice The Four Foundations of Mindfulness

Abstract

The current study performed an interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology to explore resilience experiences of family caregivers who practiced Satipatthana Sutta and provided care for dependent older adults. Key informants consisted of five family caregivers who provided care for dependent older adults and met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected via in-depth interview using semi-structured interview questions. Results revealed that resilience experiences of family caregivers practicing Satipatthana Sutta entailed three main themes. Theme 1 stress, exhaustion, and unbalanced life consisted of four subthemes: 1.1) got stressed and irritated easily due to caregiving tasks, 1.2) felt exhausted and had health issues, and 1.3) felt frustrated, had no social life, and missed out what one previously did. Theme 2 Sati facilitated emotional agility, inner peace, gentleness, and compassion consisted of three subthemes: 2.1) Sati facilitated one to be aware of their emotions and able to regulate them, 2.2) Samadhi cultivated inner peace and strength, and 2.3) the mind with gentleness and compassion. Theme 3 Panna emerged, understand truth of life, let oneself go, and achieve dharmic growth consisted of three subthemes: 3.1) Samprajanya emerged and aware of presented reality, 3.2) realize of impermanence, understand life, and achieve dharmic growth, and 3.3) let oneself go and the mind let go of attachments.