Intersectional perspective in elderly care
2016 (English)In: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, ISSN 1748-2623, E-ISSN 1748-2631, Vol. 11, no 1, article id 30544Article in journal (Refereed)
Abstract [en]
Abstract
Earlier research has shown that power relationships at workplaces are constructed by power structures. Processes related to
power always influence the working conditions for (in this study in elderly care) the working groups involved. Power
structures are central for intersectional analysis, in the sense that the intersectional perspective highlights aspects such as
gender and ethnicity (subjective dimensions) and interrelates them to processes of power (objective dimension). This
qualitative study aims to explore in what way an intersectional perspective could contribute to increased knowledge of power
structures in a nursing home where the employees were mostly immigrants from different countries. By using reflexive
dialogues related to an intersectional perspective, new knowledge which contributes to the employees’ well-being could
develop. Narrative analysis was the method used to conduct this study. Through a multi-stage focus group on six occasions
over 6 months, the staff were engaged in intersectional and critical reflections about power relationship with the researchers,
by identifying patterns in their professional activities that could be connected to their subjectivities (gender, ethnicity, etc.).
The result of this study presents three themes that express the staff’s experiences and connect these experiences to structural
discrimination. 1) Intersectionality, knowledge, and experiences of professionalism; 2) Intersectionality, knowledge,
and experiences of collaboration; and 3) Intersectionality, knowledge, and experiences of discrimination. The result
demonstrates that an intersectional perspective reinforces the involved abilities, during the conversations, into being clear
about, for example, their experiences of discrimination, and consequently developing a better understanding of their
professionalism and collaboration. Such deeper reflections became possible through a process of consciousness raising,
strengthening the employee’s self-confidence, in a positive way.
Key words: Power, intersectionality, focus group, elderly care, ethnicity, gender
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Co-Action , 2016. Vol. 11, no 1, article id 30544
Keywords [en]
Power, Intersectionality, elderly care, ethnicity, Gender
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-4491DOI: 10.3402/qhw.v11.30544ISI: 000396163800001PubMedID: 27167554Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-84982738460Local ID: 21867OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mau-4491DiVA, id: diva2:1401322
2020-02-282020-02-282024-06-17Bibliographically approved