‘The first cross-national study of adolescent young carers aged 15–17 in six European countries‘

Author(s): Lewis, Feylyn Mercedies; Becker, Saul; Parkhouse, Thomas; Joseph, Stephen; Hlebec, Valentina; Mrzel, Maja; Brolin, Rosita; Casu, Giulia; Boccaletti, Licia; Santini, Sara; D’Amen, Barbara; Socci, Marco; Hoefman, Renske; de Jong, Nynke; Leu, Agnes; Phelps, Daniel; Guggiari, Elena; Magnusson, Lennart; Hanson, Elizabeth                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Publisher: International Journal of Care and Caring                                                                                                                                                                                            Year Published: 2022
Resource type: Peer Reviewed Research Article

Summary: 

This article provides a cross national profile of adolescent young carers aged 15 to 17 in six European countries, with a specific focus on adolescent young carers’ health and wellbeing. This study collected data through an online survey in Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. The survey included a demographic section, two specific psychometric instruments (the Multidimensional Assessment of Caring Activities and the Positive and Negative Outcomes of caring), a section on education, employment, health, and support, and an open-ended question about the difficulties of caring for a family member. A total of 2099 adolescent young carers were identified in the six countries. Findings suggest a complex and varied cross-national profile regarding the characteristics of young carers within and between the six countries. Additionally, this study found that young caring yields positive and negative outcomes and points to the UK as a guide for establishing more dedicated formal support services for young carers cross-nationally.

Citation: Lewis, F. M., Becker, S., Parkhouse, T., Joseph, S., Hlebec, V., Mrzel, M., Brolin, R., Casu, G., Boccaletti, L., Santini, S., D’Amen, B., Socci, M., Hoefman, R., de Jong, N., Leu, A., Phelps, D., Guggiari, E., Magnusson, L., & Hanson, E. (2022). The first cross-national study of adolescent young carers aged 15–17 in six European countries. International Journal of Care and Caring, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1332/239788222X16455943560342

Keywords: Adolescent young carers, mental health, well-being, Europe

Where the data was collected: Europe (Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK)