Summary: Sandwich carers—those who care for both children and aging relatives—face significant mental and physical health declines, particularly when caregiving exceeds 20 hours weekly. A study tracking carers over nine years found persistent mental health challenges and worsening physical health during this transition.
The average sandwich carer is in their late 30s, balancing caregiving with personal and professional responsibilities. Researchers emphasize the need for targeted support, including respite care and workplace flexibility, to protect the well-being of this growing group.
Key Facts:
- Mental Health Impact: Sandwich carers experience lasting mental health declines, especially with intensive caregiving.
- Physical Health Decline: Caregiving over 20 hours weekly leads to physical health deterioration.
- Support Needed: Targeted resources like respite care and flexible workplaces are crucial for carers’ well-being.
Source: UCL
People who care for both their children and older family members – also known as ‘sandwich carers’ – suffer from deterioration in both their mental and physical health over time, finds a new study by UCL researchers.
The research, published in Public Health, analysed data from around 2,000 sandwich carers and 2,000 non-sandwich carers from the UK Household Longitudinal Study between 2009 and 2020.
Sandwich carers juggle the responsibilities of caring for ageing parents or older relatives while raising dependent children (aged under 16). The number of people in this situation is growing due to longer life expectancy and women having children later in life.
In the UK it is estimated that 1.3 million people are sandwich carers.
To reflect this increasing issue, the researchers wanted to address the gap in understanding how becoming a sandwich carer affects mental and physical health over time.
They tracked the health of both groups over nine years using questionnaires, focusing on the period before, during and after becoming a sandwich carer. They then used statistical models to predict health changes and compared the two groups.
The average age of the sandwich carers studied was 36.8 years old. This is because people aged 30-49 are the most likely to be sandwich carers.
The researchers looked at how health changed during the transition into sandwich care and tested if these changes were different between the two groups. They also examined if the amount of caregiving hours and gender affected these health changes.
Mental health was measured using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) scores, which are a sum of participants’ responses to questions about their mental health, such as whether they had recently had issues concentrating or sleeping or had been feeling under strain.
Meanwhile, a Physical Component Summary (PCS) assessed summary scores of physical health, covering various domains such as general health, mobility, body pain and limitations in everyday tasks due to physical health problems.
The researchers found that parents who became sandwich carers experienced a significant decline in mental health– especially those dedicating over 20 hours per week to caregiving – compared with non-sandwich carers.
This mental health decline persisted for several years.
Additionally, intensive caregivers (over 20 hours per week) saw a deterioration in their physical health during this transition.
Lead author Dr Baowen Xue (UCL Epidemiology & Health Care) said: “Our study highlights the significant mental and physical health challenges faced by sandwich carers.
“These individuals, who balance the demands of caring for both their children and ageing parents, often experience a decline in their well-being. It’s crucial that we recognise and support the unique needs of this growing group to ensure their health and resilience.”
As a result of their findings, the researchers are now calling for better support for those affected.
Dr Xue added: “The study underscores the need for society to recognise and support the unique challenges faced by sandwich carers. Providing targeted support and resources, such as access to respite care and workplace flexibility, is crucial to help maintain their health and wellbeing, particularly for those offering intensive care.”
Funding: This work was supported by funding from the UK Economic and Social Research Council.
About this mental health research news
Author: Poppy Tombs
Source: UCL
Contact: Poppy Tombs – UCL
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: The findings will appear in Lancet Public Health
