Children with ill parents: extent and nature of caring activities

Kallander, Ellen Katrine; Weimand, Bente; Becker, Saul; Roy, Betty Van; Hanssen‐Bauer, Ketil; Stavnes, Kristin; Faugli, Anne; Kufås, Elin; Ruud, Torleif

doi:10.1111/scs.12510

Cited by 46 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Children may become young carers due to unmet needs in the family and parent's problems (Cunningham et al, 2017;Pakenham & Cox, 2015). Low income occurs as a factor that both influence the process of becoming a young carer and the level of caregiving undertaken (Kallander et al, 2017;Smyth, Cass, & Hill, 2011). Children's caring activities also seem to be related to the offered support of the welfare system, when parents do not get sufficient support from society (Cunningham et al, 2017;Kallander et al, 2017;Leu & Becker, 2017;Pakenham & Cox, 2015).…”

Section: Young Carers In Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Young carers in Sweden—A pilot study of care activities, view of caring, and psychological well‐being

Berggren

Bergman

Eriksson

et al. 2018

Child & Family Social Work

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Children who have parents with any kind of illness may become young carers who take a responsibility not expected of children for household tasks, or personal or emotional care for parents and siblings. So far, little is known about children in Sweden who are at risk of becoming young carers. The aim of this article is therefore to explore the extent and impact of children's caring activities as reported in a pilot study by a sample of children in Sweden. A number of international questionnaires measuring the amount of caring activities, impact of caring, quality of life, and psychological well‐being were translated and combined into a survey. The pilot survey was completed by 30 children 10–18 years of age. Also, when completing the survey, the children were interviewed concerning their experiences of caregiving. The participants report on a group level emotional symptoms such as fear and nervousness above the clinical cut‐off value. They also rate a lower level of caring compared with findings from the United Kingdom, but they report a higher degree of negative impact of caring than young carers in the United Kingdom.

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Section: Young Carers In Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Young carers in Sweden—A pilot study of care activities, view of caring, and psychological well‐being

Berggren

Bergman

Eriksson

et al. 2018

Child & Family Social Work

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show abstract

“…They also take on medical activities, provide emotional support and ensure the safety of the ill family member. In addition to these personal and health related activities, they may also do household chores, go shopping, run errands and look after younger siblings . In addition, they are almost permanently on standby to be able to react quickly to crises .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Affected children either do not perceive themselves as carers at all and, therefore, deny corresponding questions, or they, or their parents, consciously make false statements due to fear of adverse consequences, but also due to shame. In addition, different definitions make comparison of data difficult , and there is still no precise definition as to when an assisting child becomes a caring child . Despite these restrictions, some data are available.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevalence of young carers – a standardised survey amongst school students (KiFam‐study)

Metzing

Ostermann

Robens

et al. 2019

Scandinavian Caring Sciences

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Scand J Caring Sci; 2020; 34: 501-513 The prevalence of young carersa standardised survey amongst school students (KiFam-study)Background: Children and adolescents who provide care, assistance or support for a chronically ill family member are called young carers. While there is a growing body of research about their specific situation, needs and impact of caring, only very few studies provide information on prevalence rates. Objectives: The aim was to provide prevalence data for young carers in Germany, and to describe and quantify the nature and extent of their help. Design: A cross-sectional study. Settings: Data collection took place between 2016 and 2017 in 44 secondary schools (fifth to 13th grade) in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Participants: A total of 6313 students aged from 10 to 22 years participated in this study. They represent 0.5% of the basic population. Methods: Based on the results of a preliminary qualitative study, a standardised electronic questionnaire was developed, which comprised four subject areas: socio-demographic information, general daily aids, health-related quality of life and chronic illness within the family. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests for nominal data and univariate analyses of variance for metrical data together with 95% confidence intervals. Results: 19.6% (n = 1238) of all respondents state that someone in their family needs help due to a chronic illness. Nevertheless, not all of them are involved in caring activities. The prevalence of those defined as young carers in this study is 6.1% (n = 383), 64% are girls. They take on a wide range of activities. In addition to domestic work, they help their ill relatives with mobility, dressing and undressing, medication, feeding, personal hygiene and with intimate care. Conclusions: The data provide a good insight into the situation of young carers. The prevalence rate is higher than expected. It refers to the social relevance of this topic and the need for further investigations.

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“…A home environment affected by parental SUD may also include violence and sexual abuse (Dube et al, ; Velleman, Templeton, Reuber, Klein, & Moesgen, ). Many children feel lonely, experience stigma, lack trust in their parents, and assume much responsibility at home, such as caring for parents and siblings (Kallander et al, ; Moore, McArthur, & Noble‐Carr, ). Interviews with adult children of alcohol‐dependent parents emphasize the lack of professional attention they receive during childhood (Templeton, Novak, & Wall, ; Werner & Malterud, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growing up with parental substance use disorder: The struggle with complex emotions, regulation of contact, and lack of professional support

Wangensteen

Bramness

Halsa

2018

Child & Family Social Work

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The aim of the study was to explore young people's perceptions and reflections about growing up with parents who have substance use disorder (SUD). In qualitative interviews with 12 young people (aged 13–26) and in an interpretative phenomenological analysis, we investigated their experiences of everyday life, of the relationships with the parents with SUD, and of conversations about this, both retrospectively and at the present. The findings indicated that the relationships with the parents largely occupied the informants, even when they lived separately from the parent and were protected from the daily exposure of substance use. The informants described their mixed and contradictory emotions towards their parents and the struggle to determine regulation and type of contact. They asked for professional support in order to help them cope with this. Sociocultural discourses concerning family life and substance use were discussed in an attempt to understand the findings. The findings of the study suggest that children and young people should be offered sufficient professional support in order to cope with their mixed and contradictory emotions and to determine the regularity and type of contact with the parents.

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Children with ill parents: extent and nature of caring activities

Abstract: To promote coping and to prevent inappropriate or extensive caring activities among children with ill parents, there is a need for increased access to flexible home-based services adapted to the type of parental illness.

Cited by 46 publications

References 54 publications

Young carers in Sweden—A pilot study of care activities, view of caring, and psychological well‐being

Young carers in Sweden—A pilot study of care activities, view of caring, and psychological well‐being

The prevalence of young carers – a standardised survey amongst school students (KiFam‐study)

Growing up with parental substance use disorder: The struggle with complex emotions, regulation of contact, and lack of professional support

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