Inequalities in informal caregiving over the adult life course in Europe

EUROCARE

EUROCARE is a consortium of researchers from the UK, Germany, Norway and Spain. This project aims to investigate the impact of caregiving on employment, social participation, health (mental and physical) and well-being, as well as gender, socioeconomic and ethnic differences in these impacts across European countries. We adopt a life course perspective to focus on providing care at different stages of the life course: early, mid- and later-life adulthood.

Research on caregiving has largely focused on older caregivers, but younger caregiving occurs at a time when people are seeking to complete education, establish themselves in the job market and form long-term relationships. Caregiving in young adulthood may have both immediate and longer-term effects given the key transitions generally made in this life stage. At the same time, the number of ‘sandwich carers’ (people who care for an older or disabled loved one at the same time as they have young children) is also growing. ‘Sandwich care’ is potentially representing a source of stress and may influence health and well-being. Baowen will present evidence from the UK (UKHLS) and Germany (GSOEP) showing that young adult carers, compared with non-caregiving peers, are more likely to be from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, less likely to obtain a university degree or enter employment, more likely to report poor health and a decrease in life satisfaction (UK only), and to report a decreasing number of close friends. She also found that women are more likely than men to be sandwich carers and sandwich care is associated with a deterioration in both mental and physical health for mothers but less so for fathers. Unpaid carers contribute substantial economic value to society as a whole, and it is crucial to ensure unpaid carers are acknowledged and supported.

How to attend

This event is being held in person in Wivenhoe House Hotel. You can also watch via Zoom (meeting ID: 923 6648 6274)

If you have any queries about this seminar please email Dr ZhiMin Xiao (zhimin.xiao@essex.ac.uk).