The informal carer experience during the COVID-19 pandemic: mental health, loneliness, and financial (in)-security

Abstract

Abstract Informal caring is associated with many negative outcomes. COVID-19 caused societal disruption, which may have disproportionately impacted carers. Reducing inequalities requires knowing whether, and how, carers were impacted. COVID-19 Understanding Society survey participants who were informal household carers (IHCs) were matched with a non-IHC comparison group. Differences between the groups were assessed for mental health (measured using General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-12), loneliness, subjective financial security, whether behind with mortgage/rent payments or bills, household wealth changes, and whether receiving universal credit (UC). A total of 1617 IHCs were matched with 6684 comparators. IHCs’ GHQ-12 scores were 0.613 points higher; they experienced greater loneliness and worse subjective financial security. IHCs were significantly more likely to experience decreased household wealth and receive UC, but not to be behind with bills. IHC outcomes remained worse than comparators in September 2021. Spending longer caring, caring for a partner, and not being employed were associated with worse outcomes.