[Employed persons caring simultaneously for children and care-dependent relatives - a scoping review]

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sociology
• Work-Life Balance Studies

Background:

• Increasing life expectancy and female labor participation create dual caregiving demands.
• Middle-aged employees often manage care for both children and dependent relatives.
• This situation highlights the intersection of employment and family care responsibilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of existing literature on employed individuals caring for children and dependent relatives.
• To identify research gaps, particularly in German-speaking regions.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive database search (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, etc.) without time limitations.
• Inclusion of studies in German and English, irrespective of design.
• Synthesis of 85 studies primarily from Western countries.

Main Results:

• Research is concentrated in North America, with limited data from German-speaking areas.
• Quantitative designs dominate (approx. 70%), focusing on role theory and life compatibility.
• Findings indicate a lack of attention and methodological limitations in existing research.

Conclusions:

• The dual role of employed caregivers for children and relatives is under-researched in German-speaking regions.
• Methodological and theoretical weaknesses contribute to inconsistent results.
• Future research requires a complex approach, addressing methodological and theoretical foundations.