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Mental and Physical Wellbeing of Carer–Employees in Canada

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  • Ito Peng

    (Department of Sociology, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1X6, Canada)

Abstract

Today, an increasing number of Canadian adults are providing unpaid care to their family members and friends while working full or part-time. We conducted a national survey of unpaid caregiving for older people in 2022 to learn who these people are, why they care, and to identify the social, economic, and health impacts of unpaid caregiving. Our findings show that many of these caregivers are also employees. While most research shows that women caregivers and carer-employees experience work-care tension that results in negative mental and physical health outcomes, our results are more mixed. This paper provides descriptive findings of carer-employee’s health and well-being, and compares them to previous research in Canada and abroad. I conclude with policy options for governments and employers to support the health and well-being of carer-employees.

Suggested Citation

  • Ito Peng, 2024. "Mental and Physical Wellbeing of Carer–Employees in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(12), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:12:p:1611-:d:1534207
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    1. Andrew Wister & Lun Li & Barbara Mitchell & Christina Wolfson & Jacqueline McMillan & Lauren E Griffith & Susan Kirkland & Parminder Raina & Laura Anderson & Cynthia Balion & Asada Yukiko & Nicole Bas, 2022. "Levels of Depression and Anxiety Among Informal Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study Based on the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging [The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic and," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 77(9), pages 1740-1757.
    2. Bauer, Jan Michael & Sousa-Poza, Alfonso, 2015. "Impacts of Informal Caregiving on Caregiver Employment, Health, and Family," IZA Discussion Papers 8851, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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