Resilience amongst young carers: investigating protective factors and benefit-finding as perceived by young carers

Abstract

ABSTRACT This exploratory study considers young carers’ perceptions of factors contributing to their adjustment and benefit finding within their caregiving role. Benefit-finding, defined as the “process of deriving positive growth from adversity”, is a key construct within the domain of positive psychology. A strengths-based perspective was adopted with young carers, informed by resilience theory and positive psychology whereby protective factors associated with adjustment were explored. A mixed methods design was utilised encompassing a preliminary qualitative phase and a sequential quantitative phase. A Focus Group in Phase 1 explored factors perceived by educationally achieving young carers as supporting them to adjust. Phase 2 continued the exploration of the adjustment factors within a survey design for a population of young carers. Significant relationships were identified between self-efficacy, social support and school connectedness and young carer adjustment. Key methodological considerations are addressed and the theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.