Helping the Helpers: Reduction in Help-Seeking Behavior by Caregivers
Public Deposited- Last Modified
- February 26, 2019
- Creator
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Rennie, Alexander
- Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
- Abstract
- Caregivers, such as parents and doctors, often spend hours on arduous tasks for little reward. Yet, despite this stress, it seems like many people (including the caregivers themselves) forget that caregivers need help. Using the framework of dyadic morality, this paper examines whether adopting a permanent caregiving role will transform a person into a moral agent, making them seem and feel stronger, more resilient, and less in need of help, even though they are in highly stressful roles. Three studies were performed to assess help-seeking behavior in caregivers. Study 1 examined participant’s attitudes towards caregivers as compared to control groups. Studies 2 and 3 examined identification as a caregiver and feelings of negative affect, resilience, and openness to help. We found that people hold paradoxical feelings towards caregivers, as they recognize caregivers’ need for help, but also find them more resilient to pain. Studies also supported the idea that caregiving gives an empowering effect. Finally, results showed that perhaps the caregiving role decreases one’s openness to help, yet more studies are needed to clarify these results.
- Date of publication
- spring 2015
- Keyword
- DOI
- Resource type
- Rights statement
- In Copyright
- Note
- Funding: Dunlevie Honors Undergraduate Research Fund
- Advisor
- Gray, Kurt
- Degree
- Bachelor of Science
- Honors level
- Honors
- Degree granting institution
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Extent
- 37
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