Inequalities in associations between young adult caregiving and social relationships

Evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study

Bibliographic Data

ID21444513
AuthorsRebecca Lacey (0000-0002-3510-0795, Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University College London London UK, corresponding author), Giorgio Di Gessa (0000-0001-6154-1845, Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University College London London UK), Baowen Xue (0000-0003-0180-8776, Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University College London London UK), Anne Mcmunn (0000-0003-3237-9345, Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University College London London UK)
Year2023
Volume95
Issue7
Pages1293-1310
Publication date2023-10-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Adolescence (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0140-1971 • E-ISSN: 1095-9254
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/jad.12202
PMID37301736
OpenAlexW4380204469
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited25

INTRODUCTION: Young adult caregivers (aged 16-29 years) are an important but underrecognized group of informal caregivers. There is some evidence suggesting that young adult caregivers have fewer social relationships. However, this research has been largely cross-sectional in design or restricted to caregivers, providing no comparison with noncaregivers. Further, there is little evidence on whether and to what extent there are inequalities in associations between young adult caregiving and social relationships by gender, age, caregiving intensity, or household income. METHODS: Using five waves of data on 3-4000 young adults aged 16-29 from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, we investigated associations between becoming a young adult caregiver and subsequent social relationships (number of close friends and participation in organized social activities) in the short-term (1-2 years after caregiving initiation) and longer-term (4-5 years later). We also assessed differences by gender, age, household income, and caregiving intensity. RESULTS: Overall, those who became young adult caregivers, and particularly those providing 5+ h/week, reported fewer friends in the short- but not longer-term. No associations were observed between young adult caregiving and participation in organized social activities. Also, there was no evidence of differences by gender, age, income, or caregiving hours. CONCLUSIONS: Becoming a young adult caregiver is associated with a reduction in number of close friends, particularly in the short-term. Given the importance of practical and emotional support provided by friends, the early identification of young adult caregivers and greater population awareness of caring in young adulthood may help to mitigate the effects on social relationships.

Adult Development · Developmental psychology · Longitudinal study · Population · Social support · Young adult · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · Demography · Family Support in Illness · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology

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