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Visibility as a Key Dimension to Better Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health: Results of the European Union Funded “ME-WE” Online Survey Study on Adolescent Young Carers in Switzerland

Author

Listed:
  • Elena Guggiari

    (Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Gloriastrasse 18a, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
    Careum, Pestalozzistrasse 3, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Marianne Fatton

    (Medical Faculty, Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Saul Becker

    (Faculty of Health and Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BX, UK)

  • Feylyn Lewis

    (School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Godchaux Hall 179, 461 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37240, USA)

  • Giulia Casu

    (Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Renske Hoefman

    (The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP), Postbus 16164, 2500 BD The Hague, The Netherlands)

  • Elizabeth Hanson

    (Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden
    The Swedish Family Care Competence Centre (NKA), 39232 Kalmar, Sweden)

  • 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)

  • Licia Boccaletti

    (Anziani e Non Solo Società Cooperativa Sociale, 41012 Carpi, Italy)

  • Henk Herman Nap

    (Vilans-The National Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care in The Netherlands, Churchilllaan 11, 3527 GV Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Valentina Hlebec

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

  • Alexandra Wirth

    (Careum, Pestalozzistrasse 3, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Agnes Leu

    (Careum School of Health, Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, Gloriastrasse 18a, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
    Medical Faculty, Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland)

Abstract

This paper examines the health-related quality of life (HRQL) and mental health of adolescent young carers (AYCs) aged 15–17 in Switzerland, based on data collected within the Horizon 2020 project ‘Psychosocial support for promoting mental health and well-being among AYCs in Europe’ (ME-WE). It addresses the following questions: (1) Which characteristics of AYCs are associated with lower HRQL and with higher level of mental health problems? (2) Do AYCs who are less visible and less supported report a lower HRQL and more mental health issues than other AYCs? A total of 2343 young people in Switzerland, amongst them 240 AYCs, completed an online survey. The results show that female AYCs and AYCs with Swiss nationality more often reported having mental health issues than their male and non-Swiss counterparts. Furthermore, the findings show a significant association between receiving support for themselves and visibility from their school or employer and the HRQL. Moreover, AYCs who reported that their school or employer knew about the situation also reported fewer mental health issues. These findings can inform recommendations for policy and practice to develop measures aimed at raising the visibility of AYCs, which is the first step for planning AYC tailored support.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Guggiari & Marianne Fatton & Saul Becker & Feylyn Lewis & Giulia Casu & Renske Hoefman & Elizabeth Hanson & Sara Santini & Licia Boccaletti & Henk Herman Nap & Valentina Hlebec & Alexandra Wirth, 2023. "Visibility as a Key Dimension to Better Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health: Results of the European Union Funded “ME-WE” Online Survey Study on Adolescent Young Carers in Switzerland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:3963-:d:1077694
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniel Phelps, 2017. "The Voices of Young Carers in Policy and Practice," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(3), pages 113-121.
    2. Giulia Casu & Valentina Hlebec & Licia Boccaletti & Irena Bolko & Alessandra Manattini & Elizabeth Hanson, 2021. "Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being among Adolescent Young Carers in Europe: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-23, February.
    3. 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.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ana Meireles & Sofia Marques & Sara Faria & Joana Correia Lopes & Ana Ribas Teixeira & Bruno Alves & Saul Becker, 2023. "Being a Young Carer in Portugal: The Impact of Caring on Adolescents’ Life Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(21), pages 1-19, November.
    2. Patricia Masterson-Algar & Kieren Egan & Greg Flynn & Gwenllian Hughes & Aimee Spector & Joshua Stott & Gill Windle, 2023. "Hard to Reach and Hidden: Improving the Identification of Young Dementia Carers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(23), pages 1-15, November.

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