Financial hardship and caregiver wellbeing, 2020 to 2026: Three Australian cross-sectional surveys

Anna Price, Ana Gamarra Rondinel (), M Ja Doi Nan, Dongming Zhao, Mary-Anne Measey and Tanja Capic
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Anna Price: Centre for Community Child Health, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia, https://www.mcri.edu.au/researcher-details/anna-price
Ana Gamarra Rondinel: Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/870323-ana-gamarra-rondinel
M Ja Doi Nan: The University of Melbourne, Carlton VIC
Dongming Zhao: The University of Melbourne, Carlton VIC
Mary-Anne Measey: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
Tanja Capic: School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia

Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series from Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne

Abstract: Background: Household finances are a fundamental determinant of children’s and their caregivers’ health and wellbeing. However, little is known about how families’ financial hardship and wellbeing have evolved since the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether the experiences of caregivers differ from the general adult population. We hypothesised that caregivers of children would experience greater financial hardship than adults overall and that financial hardship would be consistently associated with poorer wellbeing. Methods: We analysed repeated cross-sectional data from three nationally representative Australian surveys conducted between 2020 and 2026: Taking the Pulse of the Nation (81,057 adults; 23,777 caregivers), Australian Unity Wellbeing Index (12,080 adults; 2,868 caregivers), and Royal Children’s Hospital National Child Health Poll (16,047 caregivers). Financial hardship was measured using financial stress and material deprivation. Wellbeing was measured using mental health and life satisfaction. Weighted prevalence estimates, trend analyses, and adjusted logistic regression models were conducted. Results: Financial hardship and poor mental health remained common and relatively stable throughout the study period. Caregivers consistently experienced greater financial hardship than adults overall, whereas differences in wellbeing were smaller and less consistent. Financial hardship was strongly associated with poor mental health (8-33 percentage points) and low life satisfaction (11-31 percentage points). Conclusions: Financial hardship and poor wellbeing affected a substantial proportion of caregivers from 2020 to 2026. Affordability pressures continue to affect families in many high-income countries. Recognising and responding to financial hardship should form part of efforts to support caregiver wellbeing, family wellbeing, and healthy child development.

Keywords: Financial hardship; Caregivers; Mental health; Wellbeing; Material deprivation; Life satisfaction. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I14 I31 J13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 4pp
Date: 2026-08
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