[Participate] Understanding Older Men’s Spousal Caregiving: A Photovoice Study

Study background

This three-year photovoice study is led by Dr. John Oliffe, Founder and Lead Investigator of the University of British Columbia’s Men’s Health Research Program, with co-investigators Dr. Jennifer Baumbusch and Dr. Lilian Hung, and community collaborators the Family Caregivers of British Columbia (FCBC), Office of the Seniors Advocate BC and Independent Long-Term Care Councils Association of BC (ILTCCABC). This project is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Grant (2026-2029). SSHRC is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports research and research training in the humanities and social sciences.

Canada’s aging population and finite healthcare resources have put increasing pressure on spousal caregivers to look after the health of ailing partners in community, and transitioning to, and residing in assisted living (AL) and/or long-term care (LTC) homes. While men are increasingly participating in caregiving (the Caring in Canada 2026 reported that 46% of the Canadian caregivers were men), they remain underrepresented in caregiving research. This project seeks to better understand the gendered dimensions of older men’s masculine identities, roles and relations in the context of their spousal caregiving experiences. The findings will inform the development of a gender responsive facilitated peer support group program for older men who provide spousal care.

Study objectives

This study will seek to achieve three overarching research objectives:

• To describe the connections between masculinities and older men’s mental health and well-being when providing care in community and/or supporting the transition to and caregiving within a care home
• To detail the gendered dimensions of older men’s spousal caregiving in community and care homes
• To apply the photovoice study findings to guide the design and pilot-testing of a gender-responsive facilitated peer support group program for older men who provide spousal care.

Participant recruitment is now open! This study has received ethical approval from the University of British Columbia’s Behavioural Research Ethics Board (Ethics ID: H25-03246).

Who can participate in this study?

To participate in this study, we require that you:

1. Speak and understand English
2. Live in Canada
3. Self-identify as a man
4. Are aged 65 years or older
5. Are currently caring for a spouse/partner in community, or an Assisted Living or Long-Term Care home

How is this study done? 

Participation in this study requires that you:

1. Complete a brief demographic survey
2. Take and submit up to 10 photographs to depict your experiences of and perspectives about spousal caregiving
3. Participate in an individual Zoom or in-person photovoice interview. During the interview, you will be asked to respond to questions on topics related to caregiver burden and strength, and caregiver support and needs.

Remuneration

You will be eligible to receive an Amazon e-gift card for participating in the photovoice interview.

To learn more about the study, or sign up for the study, please contact project manager Dr. Nina Gao at nina.gao@ubc.ca