AN AGE COMPARISON OF CAREGIVER STRAIN AND RESOURCES

摘要

Young adult caregivers (YACs) of older adults are an often-overlooked subset of the caregiver population, though they make up more than a quarter of all caregivers. Due to their stage in life, YACs (ages 21–40) are likely to face different caregiving challenges related to their economic and work status. Using the Life Course Perspective as a foundational framework, this study compared the resources and strains of YACs (n = 12) to those of their middle-aged (MACs; ages 41–60; n = 34) and older adult counterparts (OCs; ages 61and older; n = 49). Data come from a cross-sectional online survey of caregivers recruited across one state through community agencies. Standardized measures of caregiver strain and positive aspects of caregiving were used. Through multivariate regression analysis, findings indicated that YACs reported more financial strain than MACs and OCs, despite being more likely to be employed (F = 5.702, df = 4; p<.001). In surprising contrast, YACs reported greater positive feelings toward caregiving than both MACs and OCs (F = 8.212, df= 4, p<.001). These findings remained while controlling for employment status, education, and hours per week spent caregiving. While YACs may find great value in caregiving, they may also be in more financially precarious situations. Caregiver support programs may want to expand efforts to reach YACs in the workplace, to offer social programs that financial reimburse caregivers, or to provide paid family leave that is inclusive of older adult caregiving responsibilities.