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Young carers

How professional support for young carers benefits from a salutogenic approach

Background: Carers (including young carers) experiencing negative outcomes due to their caring role are more likely to report a lower sense of coherence. This article explores young carers' support needs for support provided by professionals. Methods: A total of 20 interviews with young carers and the persons for whom they provide care were analysed by applying Antonovsky's paradigm of salutogenesis. The dimensions of manageability, comprehensibility and meaningfulness served to categorise the data.

Tue, 08/23/2022 - 18:12

Associations between young informal caring and mental health: a prospective observational study using augmented inverse probability weighting

Background: Across the world, many young people are supplying unpaid, informal care. There is growing evidence of the impact of this caring role on the lives of young informal carers, however there has been little quantitative analysis of the mental health impacts. This research aimed to estimate the effect of informal caring at age 14/15 years on mental health at age 18/19 years. Method: Data was drawn from Waves 5, 6, 8 (2012-2018) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.

Wed, 08/03/2022 - 18:31

Unrecognized: Kinship care by young aunts, siblings and other young people

Background: Much literature about kinship care has focused on grandparents, with limited attention to other kinship carers. Methods: This article describes results from the second part of an Australian research project that explored the prevalence, experiences and support needs of kinship carers aged 18-30 years through interviews with 41 kinship carers. Most were sisters or aunts. Results: Findings included deep commitment of the carers to children in their care and the children's positive development over time.

Fri, 07/22/2022 - 16:36

Ready and able? Professional awareness and responses to young carers in Switzerland

Background:  It is unknown how Swiss professionals support for young carers.  Previous national research suggests a lack of support services for young carers.  Professionals do provide individual as well as a family-centred support.  Social services seem to be most inclined to initiating interdisciplinary support. The situation of children, adolescents, young adults with caring responsibilities and their families has only recently been addressed in the Swiss context.

Sat, 06/18/2022 - 11:08

Does gender influence children's and young people's caring? A qualitative, systematic review and meta-ethnography

Aims and Methods: This qualitative, systematic review explored the influence of gender on children's and young people's caring roles. Findings: However, there was very limited research in this area. Eight studies were included and the synthesis yielded seven global themes. The meta- ethnography produced a higher- order concept— the gendered reproduction of children's and young people's caring. Conclusions: The review shows that children and young people are relied on as a caring resource in the global North and South.

Wed, 06/08/2022 - 13:47

Psychosocial resources contributing to resilience in Austrian young carers-A study using photo novella

Caring for their chronically ill or disabled family members is a responsibility that may be assumed by children and adolescents ("young carers") and may affect young carers' lives in many ways. Some young carers may experience long-term adverse health effects related to their early caring responsibilities and others may demonstrate healthy adaptation.

Tue, 04/06/2021 - 18:06

Caring in mind? Professionals’ awareness of young carers and young adult carers in Switzerland

Findings from international research emphasis the need of these young people to be identified and recognised. Therefore, a nationwide quantitative study of professionals' awareness was conducted in the Swiss context. Data were collected from professionals working in education, healthcare and social services.

Sat, 01/23/2021 - 16:13

Strengthening the educational inclusion of young carers with additional needs: an eco-systemic understanding

This research explores the eco-systemic factors impacting on the educational inclusion of young carers (UK) that defines a young carer as anyone under the age of 18 years old who provides, or intends to provide, care for another person of any age. The literature has indicated that young carers with additional needs are a population more vulnerable to poorer outcomes in educational attainment, employment opportunities, and psychological wellbeing.

Wed, 01/13/2021 - 14:44

The health, well-being and future opportunities of young carers: a population approach

There is a lack of evidence on the health-related impacts of being a young carer. This article takes a population approach to young carer research specifically to investigate the prevalence of young carers and explore differences in their health, well-being and future expectations. This is a cross-sectional regression analysis. Secondary analysis of a representative Scottish secondary school survey was undertaken. Pupils with caring responsibilities were identified, and their outcomes in terms of physical and mental health and postschool expectations were analysed.

Thu, 12/10/2020 - 12:56

The awareness, visibility and support for young carers across Europe: a Delphi study

Background: Across Europe, young carers (YCs) and their need for support receive limited attention in the media, policy and empirical research, even though, similar to adult carers, they also provide care to ill family members. The Delphi study, a qualitative research methodology, which provides the focus for this article, had the overall aim of exploring existing successful strategies to support YCs. Compared to YCs, even less is known about adolescent young carers (AYCs), a group that is in a critical life transition phase.

Thu, 11/19/2020 - 14:52

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