RESEARCH CENTRE
The Young Caregivers Association® is dedicated to research initiatives and partnerships that help expand awareness, understanding, and support for Young Caregivers and families across Canada.
Our Research Centre champions YCA-led and co-led research projects and events, such as co-hosting the first Canadian Young Caregiver Conference (2025). We support research partnerships with academic institutions and organizations in the following ways:
- As co-researchers, co-applicants, collaborators, or community partners.
- To support recruitment of young caregivers and families as participants or co-researchers.
- To provide knowledge and expertise as professionals working with young caregivers and families.
Please reach out to cayleighs@youngcaregivers.ca for research related inquiries.
Young Caregivers in Canada
According to the 2012 General Social Survey (GSS), there are an estimated 1.25 million Jeunes Aidants in Canada aged 15 to 24. This data excludes Northern Canada and children under the age of 15, leaving out a significant number of children and youth who provide care for a loved one.
–Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos
Facts About Young Caregivers
- On average, Canadian Young Caregivers are providing between 14 and 27 hours of care per week, the equivalent to a part-time job, for their caregiving role (Chalmers, 2008, 2017; Stamatopoulos, 2018).
- Unpaid care given by Young Caregivers corresponds to an annual savings of $25,000–$50,000 for the family and/or healthcare system (Chalmers, 2017)
- It is likely that a Young Caregivers academic performance and life at school are affected by their family situation and caregiving role.
- Canada trails behind other countries that support Young Caregivers.
- According to Dr. Stamatopoulos, the “young carer penalty” incurred by such child and youth caregivers poses short- and long-term harm to their academic, social, and professional development, ultimately compromising their well-being and development in the absence of national supports and safeguards (Chalmers & Lucyk, 2012; Stamatopoulos, 2018).
- Supporting Young Caregivers to reduce the negative impacts of early caregiving is thus a cost-effective strategy that can prevent future social, psychological, and economic penalties experienced by such youth across the lifespan (Stamatopoulos, 2018).
YOUNG CAREGIVERS WITH A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM ARE:
- No longer hidden.
- Better able to access appropriate supports including counseling and respite care.
- Experiencing improved resilience and coping skills along with increased self-esteem and confidence and a decrease in social isolation, stress and caregiver fatigue.
- Feeling better connected to supports and services.
- Being recognized by professionals Canada-wide.
- Experiencing improved educational outcomes and have better employment opportunities experiencing improved long-term health and mental wellness.
Meet Our Lead Research Partner
Dr. Heather Chalmers is an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Child and Youth Studies at Brock University. As a developmental psychologist, Dr. Chalmers is interested in at-risk youth and in particular, Young Caregivers. As an applied scientist, since 2004, Dr. Chalmers has been studying Young Caregivers and the impact this role has on their development. She has published extensively about young caregivers and has worked closely with the community agencies and has played an important role in the development and refinement of young caregiver community supports. Dr. Chalmers has partnered with Young Caregivers Association® since its inception regarding the development of evidence-based programs and related research.
Dr. Heather Chalmers
Recent Research Partnerships & Projects
- Dr. Kristine Newman, Toronto Metropolitan University, and Dr. Heather Chalmers, Brock University; Understanding the Needs of and Supporting Young Caregivers and Their Families Through Pandemic Recovery and Beyond
- Dr. Mike Lang, University of Calgary; Caregivers in the Wild Digital Film Series, The Nature of Mindfulness
- Dr. Roberta Woodgate, University of Manitoba; Partnering for Young Carers’ Health and Well-Being: Co-Designing Policy Recommendations and Research Priorities for Young Carers Across Canada.
- Dr. Alisa Grigorovich, Brock University; Attitudes and Experiences with dementia of young people in Canada: An Exploratory Study.
Young Caregiver Council of Canada (YCCC)
The Young Caregiver Council of Canada (YCCC) is a grassroots advocacy group of Young Caregivers aged 14-30, whose aim is to represent, mobilize, and support other Young Caregivers across Canada.
Co-founded by the Young Caregivers Association® and Rebekah Norman, the YCCC values Young Caregivers’ wisdom and upholds the following mission: to support the engagement of young caregivers in decision-making and action related to the development and expansion of research, practice, and national policy, with emphasis on upholding authentic representation of Young Caregivers’ stories and experiences across Canada.
Please reach out to Rebekah at youngcaregivercouncil@gmail.com if you are a Young Caregiver and would like to join our community!