Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to examine prevalence, characteristics and health outcomes among young adults (18 to 25 years) who provide informal care to family members or others with physical or mental illnesses, substance misuse or disabilities.DesignThe sample was obtained from a national survey in Norway from 2018 among students in higher education (the SHoT2018-study). The current sample comprise 40,205 participants, 70.2% women, mean age 22 years (SD = 1.7).Outcome MeasuresParticipants answered questions on care responsibilities, mental health problems (The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25), insomnia (sleep questionnaire), somatic health (Somatic Symptom Scale-8), and life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale).Results5.5% of the respondents reported having care responsibilities. Caring was associated with being female, single, having divorced parents, being an immigrant, and having financial difficulties. More mental health problems, insomnia, somatic symptoms, and lower life satisfaction were found among respondents with care responsibilities. Number of hours of caring was associated with negative health outcomes in a dose-response pattern.ConclusionProfessionals within health care, social services and the educational system should be sensitized to the needs of young adults with care responsibilities for family members or others with illness, substance misuse, or disabilities. The negative health problems among these young adult carers (YACs) should be acknowledged, and adequate support made available.
Highlights
Young adult carers (YACs) are defined as individuals between 18 and 25 years who provide informal care, support or assistance to family members with disability, chronic illness, mental health issues, or substance misuse problems (Becker and Becker, 2008; Day, 2015)
As care responsibilities and other commitments in the life of the young adult may be difficult to balance and this may be a possible source of psychological distress (Becker and Becker, 2008), we examine the relationship between the amount of caring responsibilities and health problems among young adult carers (YACs)
In the national student survey (N = 40,203, 18–25 years) 5.5% of the respondents reported that they had care responsibilities for family members or others with physical or mental illness, disabilities, or substance misuse
Summary
Young adult carers (YACs) are defined as individuals between 18 and 25 years who provide informal care, support or assistance to family members with disability, chronic illness, mental health issues, or substance misuse problems (Becker and Becker, 2008; Day, 2015). The age period between late adolescence and mid-twenties (about 18 to 25 years) has been termed “emerging adulthood.” In industrialized countries, this may be a prolonged period of exploration without commitment (Arnett, 2007). This may be a prolonged period of exploration without commitment (Arnett, 2007) This may be a developmental phase where important life choices are made regarding education and/or professional career. Emerging adulthood may be a difficult life phase for YACs, who need to balance their time between caring and being independent, and who need to find ways to fulfill personal, social, and professional aims without neglecting their care responsibilities (Becker and Becker, 2008; Day, 2015; Care2Work, 2017). It is reasonable to assume that for many YACs it is difficult to manage potentially opposing responsibilities and expectancies
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