Tensions and polarities in the autonomy of family carers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in France

Olivier Giraud (1) , Anne Petiau (2, 1) , Abdia Touahria-Gaillard (3, 1) , Barbara Rist (1) , Arnaud Trenta (4, 1)

1 LISE - Laboratoire interdisciplinaire pour la sociologie économique
2 BUC Ressources
3 Fepem - Fédération des particuliers employeurs
4 IRES - Institut de recherches économiques et sociales

This article analyses the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on ‘monetised’ family carers’ understanding of their own autonomy in a long-term care relation at home. The reduction or suspension of medico-social service deteriorated the situation of family carers of frail older people or people with disability. We develop and apply an analytical grid of 15 interviews of monetised family carers about the reorganisation of care systems and their situation as carers. We identify three types of understandings of autonomy among family carers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: preventive autonomy; health protection autonomy; and supported autonomy.

Domains: Humanities and Social Sciences

Olivier Giraud, Anne Petiau, Abdia Touahria-Gaillard, Barbara Rist, Arnaud Trenta. Tensions and polarities in the autonomy of family carers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in France. International Journal of Care and Caring, 2022, 6 (1), pp.141-156. ⟨10.1332/239788221X16316514499801⟩. ⟨hal-03639132⟩