It has been known that filial piety has played an important role in caregiving of older adults by family caregivers in East Asian countries like Korea. However, recent studies suggested that this centuries-old ideal has become more difficult to realize in contemporary society due to the rapid demographic and social transformation. The purpose of this qualitive study was to explore the influence of filial piety on the elder caregiving experience of the family caregivers in recent Korean society. A qualitative study guided by natural inquiry approach was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 18 family caregivers, who cared for older adults at home in South Korea. The caregivers were asked to respond to a series of open-ended questions about their caregiving experience. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded thematically. The constant comparative method was employed. Three themes emerged: (1)filial piety as a primary motivator, (2)ambivalent quality of filial piety in family elder care, (3)filial piety as an evolving concept. Findings indicate that filial piety still plays an important role in home-based elder care decision-making and in shaping filial responsibilities in a current Korean society despite the ambivalent quality. However, caregiver’s filial piety can be a resource for enhancing the wellbeing for the caregivers and for care recipients, when the view of filial piety is transformed fitting contemporary social condition. It is crucial for helping professionals to provide services in a culturally sensitive approach in consideration of the different understanding of filial piety in East Asian families.

Authors:
Jung Hee Lee, Fort Hays State University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Jung Hee Lee is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Fort Hays State University in United States

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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