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Difficulties and Needs of Adolescent Young Caregivers of Grandparents in Italy and Slovenia: A Concurrent Mixed-Methods Study

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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • Mirko Di Rosa

    (Laboratory of Geriatric Pharmacoepidemiology, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Via Santa Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

  • 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)

  • Valentina Hlebec

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva Ploščad 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

Many adolescent young caregivers (AYCs) care for a grandparent (GrP) with chronic disease, especially in countries with no or low developed long-term care systems and/or level of awareness of and policy responses to young caregivers. This mixed-methods study aimed at shedding light on the needs and difficulties faced by a sample of 162 adolescents aged 15–17, caring for GrPs, living in Italy (87) and Slovenia (75), respectively. A multiple linear regression model was built for the quantitative data. Qualitative data were content analysed using an open coding process. Italian and Slovenian respondents reported a moderate amount of caring activity and relatively high positive caregiving outcomes. Nevertheless, one out of three AYCs reported health problems due to their caring responsibilities. Compared to their Italian counterparts, Slovenian respondents were supported to a lesser extent by public services. Italian respondents faced communicative and practical problems; Slovenian AYCs experienced mainly emotional discomfort. AYCs from both countries requested emotional and practical support from formal services and family networks. Further, Slovenian AYCs requested emotional support and a personalized learning plan from schoolteachers. Support measures aimed at training AYCs of GrPs on geriatric care are recommended to address specific issues related to ageing and long-term care needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Santini & Barbara D’Amen & Marco Socci & Mirko Di Rosa & Elizabeth Hanson & Valentina Hlebec, 2022. "Difficulties and Needs of Adolescent Young Caregivers of Grandparents in Italy and Slovenia: A Concurrent Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2837-:d:761133
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christophe Courbage & Guillem Montoliu-Montes & Joël Wagner, 2020. "The effect of long-term care public benefits and insurance on informal care from outside the household: empirical evidence from Italy and Spain," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 21(8), pages 1131-1147, November.
    2. Maša Filipovič Hrast & Valentina Hlebec & Tatjana Rakar, 2020. "Sustainable Care in a Familialist Regime: Coping with Elderly Care in Slovenia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-15, October.
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    1. Elizabeth Hanson & Francesco Barbabella & Lennart Magnusson & Rosita Brolin & Miriam Svensson & Stecy Yghemonos & Valentina Hlebec & Irena Bolko & Licia Boccaletti & Giulia Casu & Renske Hoefman & Ali, 2022. "Research and Innovation for and with Adolescent Young Carers to Influence Policy and Practice—The European Union Funded “ME-WE” Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-33, August.
    2. Francesco Barbabella & Lennart Magnusson & Licia Boccaletti & Giulia Casu & Valentina Hlebec & Irena Bolko & Feylyn Lewis & Renske Hoefman & Rosita Brolin & Sara Santini & Marco Socci & Barbara D’Amen, 2023. "Recruitment of Adolescent Young Carers to a Psychosocial Support Intervention Study in Six European Countries: Lessons Learned from the ME-WE Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-20, March.
    3. Araviinthansai Subramaniam & Kalyani Kirtikar Mehta, 2024. "Exploring the Lived Experiences of Caregiving for Older Family Members by Young Caregivers in Singapore: Transition, Trials, and Tribulations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-27, February.

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