Women’s caring responsibilities as they age: assessing the Sandwich Generation’s satisfaction with life and well-being

Abstract

ABSTRACT While dual-caring responsibilities have increased for some middle-aged adults, due to caring for parents and children, limited research exists on the effects on well-being of this dual care role on working carers, and specifically with respect to women. For this ‘Sandwich Generation’, especially for those who work outside the home, these increased demands may adversely affect their life and job satisfaction, and their well-being, inclusive of their general health. The present research explored the impact of care responsibilities on the overall self-reported quality of life of women dual carers who work. It explored the usefulness of resources for working dual carers, in supporting them in their distinct roles. Employed women (N = 433, aged 23–69, M = 51.27 years) mainly from the United Kingdom and Australia completed an online structured survey. Findings indicated that higher levels of personal and work resources, in particular optimism, self-efficacy, job autonomy, skill discretion, and social support, were able to buffer deleterious outcomes, such as poor well-being (depression, anxiety, stress, negative affect), while supporting well-being (positive affect, general health), increasing job satisfaction and life satisfaction. The dual carer role was not a significant predictor of the participants’ well-being, with only the women’s general health being slightly reduced.