Positive and Negative Impacts of Caring among Adolescents Caring for Grandparents. Results from an Online Survey in Six European Countries and Implications for Future Research, Policy and Practice

Sara Santini, Marco Socci, Barbara D’Amen, Mirko Di Rosa, Giulia Casu, Valentina Hlebec, Feylyn Lewis, Agnes Leu, Renske Hoefman, Rosita Brolin, Lennart Magnusson and Elizabeth Hanson
Additional contact information
Sara Santini: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Marco Socci: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Barbara D’Amen: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Mirko Di Rosa: Unit of Geriatric Pharmacoepidemiology and Biostatistics, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Giulia Casu: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Valentina Hlebec: Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva pl. 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Feylyn Lewis: School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex, Essex House 121, Brighton BN1 9QQ, UK
Agnes Leu: Careum School of Health, University of Applied Sciences, Pestalozzistrasse 3, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
Renske Hoefman: The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP), Postbus 16164, 2500 BD De Hague, The Netherlands
Rosita Brolin: Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden
Lennart Magnusson: Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden
Elizabeth Hanson: Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-16

Abstract: Although up to 8% of European youngsters carry out high-intensity care for a family member, adolescent young carers (AYCs), especially those caring for their grandparents (GrPs), remain an under-researched group. This study aimed at addressing the current knowledge gap by carrying out an online survey in Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The analysis included a final sample of 817 AYCs aged 15–17 years old. AYCs of grandparents (GrPs) were compared to AYCs of other care recipients (OCRs), in order to identify any difference in positive and negative caregiving outcomes and exposure factors between the two groups. Linear or logistic regression models were built, and multivariate analyses were repeated, including a fixed effect on the country variable. AYCs of GrPs experienced more positive caregiving outcomes than AYCs of OCRs across all six countries. Being female or non-binary, and having a migration background, were associated with more negative outcomes, regardless of the relationship with the care recipient. Further research on intergenerational caregiving outcomes is recommended for shaping measures and policies, which preserve the intergenerational emotional bonds, whilst protecting AYCs from inappropriate responsibilities, undermining their mental health and well-being.

Keywords: adolescent young caregivers; grandparents; intergenerational relationships; older people; online survey; negative caregiving outcomes; positive caregiving outcomes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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