Research On Gatekeeping Behavior Of Casework Involving Adult Disabled Family Caregiver

There is a large number of disabled people in China.Because of traditional values and the low level of social security,the disabled people are mainly cared by their families.Studies have found that family caregivers of disabled people face difficulties such as heavy physical,mental stress and imperfect social support networks.Although there are many family members who are willing to help,the actually participating level of other family members in care is still very low.Using interviews and observations,the author finds that the family caregiver refused others to participate in care work,mainly in five aspects: setting strict standards of care,derogating others’ care ability,control care skills and information,control the scope of family interaction,expressing appeals to others.This is characterized as gate keeping behavior,which means “going in the door”.The reasons for this behavior include the division of the family role,"the male lord and the female lord",the original guilt of the client,the responsibility and the sense of mission,the trait of the care recipient,nervous relationship with others and external recognition.Gatekeeping not only reduces the quality of life of the care recipient,but also increases the physical and mental burden of the caregiver.The inability of others to participate in the care has led to imperfect social support networks and a greater disadvantage.Therefore,from the perspective of the social support network,this article uses the method of case work to intervene in this case.Firstly,using cognitive behavioral therapy and rational emotional therapy to guide the client to change the irrational components of cognition and behavior.Secondly,using the "person in the situation" mode to guide the victim’s husband and relatives to enhance their willingness and skills and ease the relationship with the client,so as to provide a good environment for the change of the client’s behavior.Finally,the effects of this intervention were evaluated using the goal achievement scale,the social support rating scale,and the evaluation of others.The study found that the formation of gatekeeper behaviors of adult disabled family caregivers is related to many factors in themselves and the environment.It is feasible to use casework methods to eliminate gatekeeper behaviors.Therefore,this study suggests: the intervention of behavioral issues should focus on the change of the internal cognition and the put consideration of the behavior of the case in the family context.