Full Citation
Title: Unpacking the black-box: Eldercare, time constraints, and subjective well-being
Citation Type: Conference Paper
Publication Year: 2016
ISBN:
ISSN:
DOI:
NSFID:
PMCID:
PMID:
Abstract: Population aging is requiring a re-examination of the role of eldercare. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one in five U.S. residents will be age 65 or older in 2030 (see Denton 2012 BLS Monthly Labor Review). In particular, unpaid eldercare is an important issue, as elder care is often provided by a family member or friends. Unpaid caregivers often experience what is called caregiver strain, defined as psychological, emotional, and/or physical strain through the act of caregiving. In this paper, we examine the extent to which the relationship between providing eldercare and subjective well-being may operate through the time constraints caregivers face, hypothesizing that the act of providing care takes time away from other activities. In addition, while the majority of caregivers are women, we test for possible gender differences in the relationship between elder caregiving, time allocation and subjective well-being. Using the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) for 2012 and 2013, of 21728 respondents, 3503 (16%) reported to have provided eldercare to a person older than 65. 61% of them were women. Our findings suggest that eldercare providers report lower level of life satisfaction as well as higher proportion are not well rested. Eldercare providers also reports less time in personal care and social activities.
Url: http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:384731
User Submitted?: No
Authors: Garcia, Joan; Lam, Jack
Conference Name: Population Association of America 2016 Annual Meeting
Publisher Location: Washington DC
Data Collections: IPUMS Time Use - ATUS
Topics: Aging and Retirement, Family and Marriage, Health
Countries: