Prevalence and effects of caregiving on children. (24th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nagl‐Cupal, Martin; Daniel, Maria; Koller, Martina Maria; Mayer, Hanna
• Is Part Of: Journal of advanced nursing. Volume 70:Number 10(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 2314
• Page End: 2325
• Publication Date: 2014-03-24
• Subjects: Nursing -- Periodicals; 610.7305
• DOI: 10.1111/jan.12388
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-2402

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jan12388-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jan12388-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>This paper reports the prevalence and its related sociodemographic factors of informal caregiving by underage children in Austria. The quantity and intensity of caregiving activities, the motivation for and effects of caregiving and how this differs from non‐caregiving children were investigated.</p> </sec> <sec id="jan12388-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Young carers are a worldwide phenomenon. Due to methodological and sampling problems, little quantitative data are available.</p> </sec> <sec id="jan12388-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>Cross‐sectional, descriptive study.</p> </sec> <sec id="jan12388-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Based on a random selection of 85 schools and 474 classes, a total of 7403 children aged 10–14 years completed a self‐reporting questionnaire that asked for children's help in their families. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data.</p> </sec> <sec id="jan12388-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>In the sample, 4·5% caregiving children were identified. The average age of young carers was 12·5 years. Most young carers were female (69·8% vs. 52·7% in the non‐young carers group). Young carers assumed more responsibilities (household tasks, general care and sibling care) than their peers. They showed a higher level of physical (e.g. headache 38·2% vs. 24·4%) and mental (e.g. to worry about 68·1% vs. 41·8%) adverse effects than non‐young carers. Extrapolation suggests a rate of 3·5% young carers in underage children of 5–18 years in Austria.</p> </sec> <sec id="jan12388-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Data on national level are essential preconditions to initiate support for young carers. Nurses can promote children's health and well‐being through prevention of an inappropriate caregiving role.</p> </sec> </abstract>