Table 3.

Taxonomy of Categories and Themes Depicting Rite of Passage into Caregiver Role

Phase	Theme	Sub-Theme (dimensions)
Pre-liminal	(1) Pivotal event	(a) Recognition of illness or health crisis in a “family” member (Insidious versus abrupt)
	(2) Commitment to the care recipient	(b) Dedication to a sick “family” member (obligation versus closeness/love)
Liminal	(3) Role ambiguity	(c) Redefining relationship with care recipient (losing a partner versus gaining a role)
		(d) Redefining relationships with others (being seen as a couple, reconstruct role in the family)
		(e) Possible experience of stigma (perceptions of discrimination)
	(4) Social changes	(f) Taking on new responsibilities (new routines)
		(g) Interfacing with health care system (alone or with assistance)
		(h) Reduced participation in life (isolation)
	(5) Uncertainty regarding future goals and aspirations	(i) Unpredictable illness trajectory (i.e. treatment response, recovery, acute changes)
		(j) Motivation for caregiving (self-efficacy/empowerment versus lack of enthusiasm)
		(k) Uncertain prognosis (roller coaster of chronic illness versus death)
	(6) Suffering as a way of life	(l) Stress and burden of caring (emotional pain, grief, guilt that leads to negative adaptation)
		(m) Makes life “sweeter”, when life is good (positive adaptation, hope, constructing a positive recovery for care recipient)
		(n) Spirituality and self-reflection (finding peace)
Post-liminal	(7) Reincorporation and the new normal	(o) Role delineation (can change again with institutionalization or death)
		(p) Uncertainty may continue indefinitely (increases, stays the same, or decreases)
		(q) Suffering may continue indefinitely (burden/stress versus growth/meaning/purpose and transcendence)