The shared experience of caring: A study of care-workers' motivations and identifications at work

TY - JOUR

T1 - The shared experience of caring

T2 - A study of care-workers' motivations and identifications at work

AU - Bjerregaard, Kirstien

AU - Haslam, S. Alexander

AU - Mewse, Avril

AU - Morton, Thomas

PY - 2017/1/1

Y1 - 2017/1/1

N2 - This article presents an analysis of long-term care-workers' work motivation that examines the way this is shaped by the social contexts in which they operate. We conducted a thematic analysis of 19 in-depth interviews with care-workers. Three core themes were identified as underpinning their motivation: those of 'fulfilment', 'belonging' and 'valuing', and together these contributed to a central theme of 'pride'. We also found an overarching theme of 'shared experience' to be integral to the way in which care-workers made sense of their motivation and work experience. We draw on the social identity approach to provide a conceptual framework through which to understand how this shared experience shapes care-workers' motivation and the quality of care they deliver. In particular, we note the importance that care-workers' attach to their relationships with clients/patients and highlight the way in which this relational identification shapes their collective identification with their occupation and organisation and, through this, their motivation.

AB - This article presents an analysis of long-term care-workers' work motivation that examines the way this is shaped by the social contexts in which they operate. We conducted a thematic analysis of 19 in-depth interviews with care-workers. Three core themes were identified as underpinning their motivation: those of 'fulfilment', 'belonging' and 'valuing', and together these contributed to a central theme of 'pride'. We also found an overarching theme of 'shared experience' to be integral to the way in which care-workers made sense of their motivation and work experience. We draw on the social identity approach to provide a conceptual framework through which to understand how this shared experience shapes care-workers' motivation and the quality of care they deliver. In particular, we note the importance that care-workers' attach to their relationships with clients/patients and highlight the way in which this relational identification shapes their collective identification with their occupation and organisation and, through this, their motivation.

KW - care-workers

KW - motivation

KW - social identity approach

KW - thematic analysis

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84943603416&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1017/S0144686X15000860

DO - 10.1017/S0144686X15000860

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:84943603416

SN - 0144-686X

VL - 37

SP - 113

EP - 138

JO - Ageing & Society

JF - Ageing & Society

IS - 1

ER -