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The experience of loneliness among live-in Filipino homecare workers in Israel: implications for social workers
- Authors:
- AYALON Liat, SHIOVITZ-EZRA Sharon
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 40(8), December 2010, pp.2538-2559.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This paper evaluates the experience of loneliness among Filipino homecare workers in Israel. It was hypothesised that Filipino homecare workers in Israel are likely to suffer from social and emotional loneliness for the following 3 reasons: as a result of their immigration to a different country and the need to adjust to different cultural values and norms while relinquishing existing social contacts in their country of origin; as a result of their status as temporary workers who are not expected to build their lives in the host county, but to leave after several years; and as care-givers of the frailest individuals in society. The study participants were 29 Filipino homecare workers; 7 of these workers were interviewed using in-depth individual interviews, and 3 focus groups of 2 to 11 participants were also conducted. In addition, 7 care recipients were interviewed, 23 interviews were held with family members of care recipients, and 31 social workers in charge of this care-giving arrangement participated in 4 focus groups. Analysis of the results revealed 3 major themes: the experience of emotional and social loneliness; its impact on workers' emotional and physical health; and common coping mechanisms workers use to address their profound loneliness. The article discusses a variety of ways social workers can employ in order to alleviate such feelings of profound loneliness among Filipino homecare workers.