Stress and Well-Being amongst Young Adults with Chronically Ill Parents

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines the levels of stress and wellbeing among young adults with chronically ill parents, aiming to understand the impact of caregiving responsibilities on their mental health and overall wellbeing. The hypothesis posits that higher levels of perceived stress among young adults caring for chronically ill parents will be associated with lower levels of general wellbeing. The research objectives include assessing stress and wellbeing, comparing these levels between caregivers and non-caregivers, examining the relationship between perceived stress and general wellbeing, identifying contributing factors to stress, and providing insights into the mental health needs of young adults with chronically ill parents. The sample consists of 100 young adults aged 18 to 30 years, recruited using non-probability purposive sampling techniques from various parts of India. Participants were required to have at least one chronically ill parent. The study utilizes the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and General Wellbeing Inventory (GWI) to assess stress levels and overall wellbeing among participants. Correlational was employed to examine the relationship between perceived stress and general wellbeing. The results indicate that young adults with chronically ill parents experience higher levels of perceived stress and lower levels of general wellbeing compared to their peers without chronically ill parents. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was found between perceived stress and general wellbeing, confirming that higher levels of stress are associated with lower levels of wellbeing. The study also examined factors contributing to stress among young adult caregivers, such as the severity of the parent's illness, the duration of caregiving, and the availability of social support. Findings suggest that physical illnesses in parents result in higher stress levels compared to mental illnesses. Furthermore, problem-focused coping strategies, such as seeking information and social support, were found to be more effective in reducing stress and promoting wellbeing compared to emotion-focused coping strategies. The findings of this study provides valuable insights into the mental health needs of young adults with chronically ill parents and informs the development of targeted interventions to enhance wellbeing and reduce stress in this population.