Repository logo
 

A mirror to humanity: the meaning-making experiences of correctional end-of-life care advocates

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorKaushik, Shivani, author
dc.contributor.authorCurrin-McCulloch, Jennifer, advisor
dc.contributor.authorHogan, Michael, committee member
dc.contributor.authorYoder, Jamie, committee member
dc.contributor.authorYuma, Paula, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2023-06-01T23:56:08Z
dc.date.available2025-05-26T23:56:08Z
dc.date.issued2023
dc.description.abstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the mean-making experiences of advocates who strive to implement end-of-life programming in correctional settings. The study included five main exploratory aims: (1) to explore advocates' understanding of end-of-life philosophy; (2) motivating factors of advocates that promote end-of-life caregiving opportunities; (3) barriers to the provision of end-of-life care; (4) how personal, social, and political influences related to correctional end-of-life care shape advocates' meaning-making experiences and; (5) to better inform the general public of this integral need and humane service to combat the stigma related to accessing end-of-life care for incarcerated individuals. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), a qualitative approach which aims to provide detailed examinations of personal lived experience, was incorporated with English-speaking participants, residing in the United States (U.S.), who are 18 years of age or older and identify as advocates for correctional end-of-life care. Participants were recruited with the assistance of professionals who work within the field of end-of-life care in the United States and non-profit, correctional health care advocacy groups. Advocates participated in a recorded interview, via Zoom or telephone, consisting of 15 semi-structured questions which addressed their knowledge of end-of-life care in corrections, recommendations for policy reform, and the meaning-making experiences derived from advocating for essential care to the terminally ill. Participant responses were transcribed and analyzed by maintaining an idiographic focus and providing verbatim quotes. The results revealed advocates' multifaceted meaning-making experiences in championing for humane end-of-life care in corrections: daunting work as motivation; the people are the joy; this is what I'm meant to do; and being a mirror to humanity. Advocates revealed the pertinent need to eradicate punitive ideals to deliver compassionate care. Narratives underscored the significant bonds with imprisoned people and fellow peers advocating for empathy at the end-of-life. These advocates additionally highlighted their inherent aspirations for social justice and health equity. Moreover, opportunities to showcase and celebrate the compassionate skill-set and productivity of peer-volunteers delivering care to their dying peers in corrections surfaced as emotional and inspiring experiences for advocates. The exploration of the meaning-making experiences of correctional end-of-life care advocates provided a unique perspective into the motivating factors and multifarious challenges of implementing and delivering compassionate care to terminally ill incarcerated people. Advocates offer significant and hidden insights into the dying experience of this marginalized population, while navigating the complexities of correctional health care. The knowledge and vigor of advocates serve as key factors in ameliorating appropriate end-of-life care for a continually punished population. The study emphasizes the fundamental need to assess current models of care available to dying incarcerated individuals in the United States and how advocates' participation can enhance end-of-life care in corrections. Further research must investigate current end-of-life programming in corrections, with an emphasis on the unique roles of those delivering care. The essential voices of correctional end-of-life advocates should be integrated into policy reform which seeks to amend dated and unjust practices impacting dying incarcerated individuals.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierKaushik_colostate_0053A_17730.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/236699
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2020-
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.rights.accessEmbargo Expires: 05/26/2025
dc.subjectaging
dc.subjectcorrections
dc.subjectinterpretative phenomenological analysis
dc.subjectcaregiving
dc.subjectadvocacy
dc.subjectend-of-life care
dc.titleA mirror to humanity: the meaning-making experiences of correctional end-of-life care advocates
dc.typeText
dcterms.embargo.expires2025-05-26
dcterms.embargo.terms2025-05-26
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineSocial Work
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
Kaushik_colostate_0053A_17730.pdf
Size:
572.1 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

Collections

2020-
Theses and Dissertations