Health and the double burden of full-time work and informal care provision - Evidence from administrative data

We analyze the relationship between health and the double burden of both informal care provision and full-time work using administrative data from the second biggest German sickness fund. We have information on more than 7000 caregivers over a period of three years and apply linear panel data and two-part models. As outcome measures we use detailed information on the prescription of five types of drugs. We find that individuals who provide care and also work full-time have a significantly higher consumption of antidepressant drugs and tranquilizers than those who work only. This is mostly driven by an increase in the extensive margin of drug intake. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.