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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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot. 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
    Medical Faculty, Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 61, 4056 Basel, 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
    The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre, Strömgatan 13, SE-39232 Kalmar, Sweden)

  • Lennart Magnusson

    (Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden
    The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre, Strömgatan 13, SE-39232 Kalmar, Sweden)

  • Elizabeth Hanson

    (Department Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-39182 Kalmar, Sweden
    The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre, Strömgatan 13, SE-39232 Kalmar, Sweden)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Santini & Marco Socci & Barbara D’Amen & Mirko Di Rosa & Giulia Casu & Valentina Hlebec & Feylyn Lewis & Agnes Leu & Renske Hoefman & Rosita Brolin & Lennart Magnusson & Elizabeth Hanson, 2020. "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," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6593-:d:411747
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ellen Verbakel & Silke F Metzelthin & Gertrudis I J M Kempen, 2018. "Caregiving to Older Adults: Determinants of Informal Caregivers’ Subjective Well-being and Formal and Informal Support as Alleviating Conditions," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(6), pages 1099-1111.
    2. Faustine Regnier & Etienne Le Bihan & Christine Tichit & Michèle Baumann, 2019. "Adolescent Body Dissatisfaction in Contrasting Socioeconomic Milieus, Coming from a French and Luxembourgish Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-13, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Emma Armstrong-Carter & A. T. Panter & Bryant Hutson & Elizabeth A. Olson, 2022. "A university-wide survey of caregiving students in the US: Individual differences and associations with emotional and academic adjustment," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.

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