TY - JOUR
T1 - Predictors of depression in young carers
T2 - a population based longitudinal study
AU - Bowman Grangel, Aoife
AU - McMahon, Jennifer
AU - Dunne, Nikki
AU - Gallagher, Stephen
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Caregiving in adolescence, specifically when directed towards a parent, is associated with increased depression. This study examines whether young carers caring for their parents are more likely to be depressed than those caring for other family members and non-caring youth. Using data from two waves of the Growing Up in Ireland study (N = 3,312), the above associations were examined cross-sectionally (Aged 17; T1), and longitudinally (Aged 20; T2). The role of parent and peer relationship quality in predicting depression was also examined. Compared to non-carers, carers of parents were 3.67 times more likely to be depressed at T1, but not at T2. Moreover, young carers of parents who were depressed reported lower peer attachments, as well as lower quality relationships with their parents. Logistic regression analyses showed these relationships to be predictive of depression. This research is discussed in terms of supporting young carers from a family-based perspective.
AB - Caregiving in adolescence, specifically when directed towards a parent, is associated with increased depression. This study examines whether young carers caring for their parents are more likely to be depressed than those caring for other family members and non-caring youth. Using data from two waves of the Growing Up in Ireland study (N = 3,312), the above associations were examined cross-sectionally (Aged 17; T1), and longitudinally (Aged 20; T2). The role of parent and peer relationship quality in predicting depression was also examined. Compared to non-carers, carers of parents were 3.67 times more likely to be depressed at T1, but not at T2. Moreover, young carers of parents who were depressed reported lower peer attachments, as well as lower quality relationships with their parents. Logistic regression analyses showed these relationships to be predictive of depression. This research is discussed in terms of supporting young carers from a family-based perspective.
KW - Caregiving
KW - depression
KW - mental health
KW - relationship quality
KW - social support
KW - young carer
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85184508605&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/02673843.2023.2292051
DO - 10.1080/02673843.2023.2292051
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85184508605
SN - 0267-3843
VL - 29
JO - International Journal of Adolescence and Youth
JF - International Journal of Adolescence and Youth
IS - 1
M1 - 2292051
ER -