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Compulsive sensitivity--a consequence of caring: a qualitative investigation into women carer's difficulties in
Annika S K Forssén1, Gunilla Carlstedt, Christina M Mörtberg
1Family Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. annika.forssen@nll.se
Women are expected to care, both in public and private life, for the sick as well as the healthy. Some women have difficulties in limiting their caring, despite being deeply careworn. In this life-course study, based on in-depth interviews with elderly women in Sweden, the concept "compulsive sensitivity" presents a way toward understanding their difficulties. Compulsive sensitivity denotes the compulsion to see and respond to other people's needs, whatever one's own situation.
Women are expected to care, both in public and private life, for the sick as well as the healthy. Some women have difficulties in limiting their caring, despite being deeply careworn. In this life-course study, based on in-depth interviews with elderly women in Sweden, the concept "compulsive sensitivity" presents a way toward understanding their difficulties. Compulsive sensitivity denotes the compulsion to see and respond to other people's needs, whatever one's own situation.
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