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Is caring for elderly parents detrimental for women�s mental health? The influence of the European North-South gradient

Author

Listed:
  • Cinzia Di Novi

    (Department of Economics, University Of Venice C� Foscari)

  • Elenka Brenna

    (Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimento di Economia e Finanza)

Abstract

In the last decades, both the lengthening of life expectancy and an accentuated decline in birth rates have reduced the consistency of the younger generational cohorts. Due to ageing population, the burdens of caregiving are projected to intensify in the next quarter of the century in Europe, especially for mature women. This paper investigates the impact of the provision of constant care for elderly parents on the mental health of adult daughters, between the ages of 50 and 65, living in different European countries. Data is collected from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Information on mental health status is provided by Euro-D depression scale, a standardized measure of depression employed across European countries. We focus on differences in the effects according to a North�South gradient: we test whether the relationship between informal caregiving and mental health differs across European macro- regions. Our results reveal the presence of a North-South gradient in the effect of caring on women�s mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Cinzia Di Novi & Elenka Brenna, 2013. "Is caring for elderly parents detrimental for women�s mental health? The influence of the European North-South gradient," Working Papers 2013:23, Department of Economics, University of Venice "Ca' Foscari".
    • Handle: RePEc:ven:wpaper:2013:23
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    caregiver burden; depression; parent care; LTC systems; mature women.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General

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