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The hidden cost of informal care: An empirical study on female caregivers' subjective well-being

Using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), this study investigated the impact of informal care on female caregivers' subjective well-being in China. We found that informal care significantly reduced the subjective well-being of female caregivers using the instrumental variable (IV) ordered probit model. Our results revealed that the care effect on subjective well-being was more significant for rural caregivers than for urban caregivers. The more hours or more recipients care was provided for, the greater the negative impact on subjective well-being. Based on these findings, we further identified the two channels of 'wealth' and 'health' through which informal care lowered subjective well-being. These results have implications for policy makers in overcoming the challenges involved in constructing and developing a supportive system of informal care in China. Highlights • Informal care significantly reduced the subjective well-being of female caregivers. • Care effects on subjective well-being were more significant for rural caregivers. • The more care given, the larger the negative impact on subjective well-being. • Caregiving reduced subjective well-being through lower wealth and worse health.

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Key Information

Type of Reference
Jour
Type of Work
Journal article
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
ISBN/ISSN
0277-9536
Publication Year
2019
Issue Number
March
Journal Titles
Social Science & Medicine
Volume Number
224
Start Page
85
End Page
93