Association between work status and depression in informal caregivers: a collaborative modelling approach

Area of Science:

• Social Science
• Public Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Informal caregiving by family and friends is common, with caregivers often experiencing depression.
• Existing research primarily focuses on older, full-time caregivers, neglecting those in paid employment.
• This study addresses the gap by examining the influence of work status on caregiver depression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of employment status on depression among caregivers.
• To compare sociodemographic, health, and social network variables between working and non-working caregivers.
• To identify factors associated with depression in caregivers based on their work status.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of a large dataset (n=11,177) from the 2014 European Social Survey.
• Inclusion of individuals aged 18+ who identified as caregivers.
• Utilized hierarchical logistic regression to assess the relationship between caregiver work status and depression, controlling for covariates.

Main Results:

• Over half (51%) of caregivers were employed.
• Non-working caregivers were more likely to be female, older, widowed, less educated, and provide intensive care.
• Non-working caregivers exhibited higher rates of depressive symptoms (aOR=1.77, 95% CI=1.54-2.03) compared to working caregivers, even after adjustments.

Conclusions:

• Caregiver employment status significantly impacts depression risk, with non-working caregivers facing higher odds.
• Policies supporting continued employment for caregivers are vital for maintaining mental well-being.
• Recommendations include flexible working arrangements and care leave to help caregivers balance work, care, and health responsibilities.