Exploring the experience of involuntary spousal separation in Ontario, Canada: A Participatory Action Research Study

Background: In Ontario, the current long-term care (LTC) system continuously fails to support the needs of separated spouses in LTC, leading to adverse effects on the mental health of both residents and their spouses. To support separated spouses, additional research is needed to understand the unique experiences of involuntary separated spouses, as well as exploring separation across different contexts. Objective: The primary aim of this dissertation was to explore spouses’ experiences of involuntary separation in Ontario, Canada. Methods: The design of this dissertation involves two phases. First, a qualitative systematic review using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology situated this work within evidence pertaining to the impact of spousal separation. Second, a qualitative multi-case study with 11 couples used a participatory action research approach to explore the experience of spousal separation. Results: The Phase I systematic review revealed that loneliness and depression are prevalent among spouses involuntarily separated. However, there was a notable gap in the literature, as researchers often fail to include both spouses as participants, particularly those living in LTC. Additionally, the findings highlight a significant lack of literature investigating the strategies and approaches needed to support separated spouses at the organizational and systemic levels. Phase II of this research identified four overarching themes describing spouses' experiences with separation, including: 1) Spouses face organizational ageism within the policies, procedures and lack of support during their separation, 2) Separated spouses have no voice or inclusion in the LTC decision-making process, 3) Spousal separation is impacted by staff and organizations capacity of care for the spouse living in LTC, and 4) Separated spouses need more education, knowledge, and access to LTC policies and supports. Conclusion: The findings from this dissertation highlight the importance of an inclusive and proactive advocacy approach to improving the services, programs, and policies supporting spouses experiencing involuntary separation. Findings will be used for multiple knowledge dissemination and translation efforts led by participants, including publishing a novel on spousal separation, conducting public talks with stakeholders, researchers, and government officials, and involving older adults in decision-making processes pertaining to spousal separation.

Department dc:contributor.department

Nursing

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Robertson, Madison

Advisor dc:contributor.supervisor

• Rylan, Egan

• spouses
• involuntary separation
• long-term care
• participatory action research
• older adults
• advocacy

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1974/33491

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:queensu.scholaris.ca:1974/33491