Îngrijitorul personal între vulnerabilitate și responsabilitate. Abordări psihosociale, legislative și spirituale
The personal caregiver between vulnerability and responsibility. psychosocial, legislative and spiritual approaches.

Author(s): Petronela Polixenia Nistor
Subject(s): Theology and Religion, Psychology of Religion
Published by: Editura Doxologia
Keywords: personal caregiver; vulnerability; social work; family; resilience; interdisciplinary care; spirituality;
Summary/Abstract: This paper analyzes the status of the personal caregiver at the intersection of vulnerability and responsibility, from psychosocial, legislative and spiritual perspectives. In the context of the rising incidence of chronic diseases and the aging of the population, the care of dependent individuals becomes not only a familial obligation, but also a major issue of public concern. The study examines the stages of emotional adaptation within the family, according to the model developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, highlighting the psychological and relational impact of long-term caregiving.The analysis of the Romanian legislative framework reveals gaps between regulation and practice, as well as the inadequacy of existing measures aimed at protecting and professionalizing personal caregivers. Furthermore, the article proposes an interdisciplinary model of intervention in which the social worker, psychologist and spiritual advisor (or confessor) collaborate to support families affected by illness.The spiritual dimension is emphasized as a key resource for inner balance, resilience, and community solidarity, in harmony with the Orthodox tradition of self-sacrificial love. Ultimately, the study underlines the need to recognize the personal caregiver as a secondary beneficiary of social assistance and to develop coherent public policies oriented toward professional training, psychological support and social integration.In the final analysis, caregiving emerges as an act of human and spiritual communion, in which responsibility transforms into vocation.

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