Mental and Physical Wellbeing of Carer–Employees in Canada

Ito Peng’s journal article reports on findings from a 2022 national survey of unpaid caregiving for older people in 2022, investigating the social, economic, and health impacts of unpaid caregiving on people who simultaneously manage employment and family care responsibilities, or carer-employers (CEs). This survey is one of very few surveys examining the impacts of unpaid caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic period, and while most previous research shows that women caregivers and carer-employees experience work-care tension that results in negative mental and physical health outcomes, the results in Peng’s survey are more mixed. Still, the findings from this study, and from existing literature, highlight the urgent need to address and mitigate the health risks associated with caregiving among CEs, particularly given the continuing aging of the population and therefore ongoing demand for care.

Ito Peng is the Canada Research Chair in Global Social Policy, Professor of Sociology and Public Policy at the Department of Sociology and the School of Public Policy and Governance, and the Director of the Centre for Global Social Policy.

Citation

Peng, I. (2024). Mental and Physical Wellbeing of Carer–Employees in Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(12), 1611. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121611

Abstract

Today, an increasing number of Canadian adults are providing unpaid care to their family members and friends while working full or part-time. We conducted a national survey of unpaid caregiving for older people in 2022 to learn who these people are, why they care, and to identify the social, economic, and health impacts of unpaid caregiving. Our findings show that many of these caregivers are also employees. While most research shows that women caregivers and carer-employees experience work-care tension that results in negative mental and physical health outcomes, our results are more mixed. This paper provides descriptive findings of carer-employee’s health and well-being, and compares them to previous research in Canada and abroad. I conclude with policy options for governments and employers to support the health and well-being of carer-employees.