A phenomenological study on older persons as a breadwinner of A skipped-generation family: day by day coping journey in Thai context

Abstract

Purpose: Many countries around the world are facing an ageing society in which older persons share the fate of carrying a burden in their families, especially in skipped-generation families. This increasing trend has noted over the past several years in Thailand. This is an interpretive phenomenological study that seeks to explore Thai older grandparents’ life experience of raising grandchildren in skipped-generation families. Methods: The participants were purposively selected from older grandparents in skipped-generation families in the Northeast of Thailand in 2019. Data were collected by in-depth interviews with 29 participants. Data were analysed using Diekelmann & Allen method. Results: Three major themes emerged regarding the Thai older persons as a breadwinner of a skipped-generation family were as follows. 1) Sacrifice for the family is a value of life. 2) Day by day coping journey of individuals maintains mental well-being. 3) Being grandparents leads to spiritual pride. Conclusion: The older grandparents suffered from a variety of burden and vulnerability beyond their abilities. Social and governmental supporting systems are limited. Creating supporting system strategy is required to increase well-being of grandparents in skipped-generation families.

Keywords

• phenomenological study
• older person
• breadwinner
• skipped-generation family
• coping journey