A school-based cross-sectional study to understand the public health measures needed to improve the emotional and mental wellbeing of young carers aged 12 to 14 years

Abstract

The emotional and mental wellbeing of young carers is known to be poorer than their peers. Data from a large cross-sectional school survey of 7,477 12 to 14 year olds (72 per cent response rate) living in Cornwall, South West of England, were analysed to assess whether existing school-based interventions support the wellbeing of young carers. Outcome measures were derived from the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Young carers experienced greater emotional and mental wellbeing problems than their peers. Being eligible for free school meals did not attenuate these higher needs, indicating that broader support other than financial measures are needed, such as education, health and care plans which were associated with higher mental wellbeing among young carers. Early community and school-based interventions that consider the complex needs of young carers, especially emotional wellbeing, are needed.

The mental and physical health of young carers: a systematic review

“…All studies were published between 2005 and 2022, and all studies, except two, 20,21 were published in the past 10 years. Most of the included studies were done in the UK, [18][19][20][22][23][24][25][26] and the rest were done in the USA, 21,27 Therefore, answers are listed as reported by a parent or the head of household. ‡This study has both longitudinal and cross-sectional components.…”

“…Sample sizes varied from 40 to 773 422. Five studies considered both mental and physical health outcomes, 18,19,22,24,26,30 seven studies considered only mental health outcomes, 21,23,25,[27][28][29]31 and one study considered only physical health outcomes. 20 The definition of the term young carer varied between studies (table 1).…”

“…Ten studies mentioned potential reasons why someone might need care but only three studies included substance misuse as a reason. 19,22,25 One study recruited young carers directly from a carer charity 23 and one study did not state how young carers were identified. 28 Most included studies were rated as being high quality (six or more stars; table 1, appendix p 7).…”

“…12 of the included studies considered any mental health outcome (table 2). Nine of these studies applied at least one widely used, validated measure, such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, 18,19,23,25 the Behaviour Problems Index, 21,27 the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, 28,31 the Visual Analogue…”

“…Robison and Egan (2017), 18 Robison et al (2020) 19 Cross-sectional 11-18 years Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; frequency of worry about school, personal issues, family issues, appearance, or the future; mental health conditions Young carers had higher total Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores than their peers; young carers were more likely to report worrying about school, appearance, personal issues, or family issues than their peers; young carers were more likely to report emotional or mental illness than their peers Sharpe et al (2021) 25 Cross-sectional 12-14 years Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Young carers had higher Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores than their peers (total and on emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and peer problems subscales); there were no differences in prosocial subscale scores between young carers and their peers Tseliou et al (2018) 26 Cross-sectional 5-17 years Chronic mental health issues Young carers aged 5-17 years were more likely to report chronic mental health conditions than their peers; association was strongest for young carers providing more than 20 h a week of care…”