The Effect of Gender Ideal Adherence on Carer Burden and Help-Seeking in Male Carers of People With Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease that is commonly diagnosed in middle age and disproportionately affects women. Consequently, middle-aged men (as partners and husbands) are often the caregivers, a unique group in comparison with carers for people with other long-term neurological conditions, who are predominately women. Previous research has indicated that male carers respond differently from their female counterparts in terms of carer burden.

Our disease: a qualitative meta-synthesis of the experiences of spousal/partner caregivers of people with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: To provide a unique and conceptually comprehensive account of the lived experiences of caregiving spouses/partners of people with multiple sclerosis, which can be used to better enable health professionals to provide appropriate support services.

Method: A systematic review of qualitative studies reporting the experiences of caregiving spouses/partners was conducted. Relevant articles were identified and analysed using a meta-ethnographic synthesis.