The double-edged sword of becoming a caregiver: dynamic impact on four dimensions of well-being in Norway
Abstract Background Becoming a caregiver can be a transformative journey with profound, multifaceted implications for well-being. However, existing research predominantly emphasizes the negative aspects of caregiving, paying less attention to the positive sides. This study aims to explore the impact...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01623-x |
| _version_ | 1797272770378203136 |
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| author | Fredrik Methi Ragnhild Bang Nes Vegard Skirbekk Thomas Hansen |
| author_facet | Fredrik Methi Ragnhild Bang Nes Vegard Skirbekk Thomas Hansen |
| author_sort | Fredrik Methi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Becoming a caregiver can be a transformative journey with profound, multifaceted implications for well-being. However, existing research predominantly emphasizes the negative aspects of caregiving, paying less attention to the positive sides. This study aims to explore the impact of transitioning into a caregiving role on various well-being indicators, such as negative hedonic, positive hedonic, eudaimonic, and social well-being. Methods We use Norwegian panel data (2019–2021) and employ a combination of nearest-neighbour matching and a difference-in-differences approach to analyse well-being trajectories among new caregivers (n = 304) and non-caregivers (n = 7822). We assess ten items capturing the dimensions of negative hedonic (anxiousness, sadness, and worriedness), positive hedonic (happiness and life satisfaction), eudaimonic (contributing to others’ happiness, engagement, and meaning), and social (strong social relations and loneliness) well-being. Results Our results show a general increase in negative hedonic well-being and a decline in positive hedonic well-being for new caregivers. These impacts are larger for caregivers providing daily care, compared to those providing weekly and monthly care, and for those providing care inside rather than outside their own household. We observe only minor differences regarding gender and age. Interestingly, we also notice neutral or beneficial changes for eudaimonic aspects of well-being; of note, caregivers generally experience an increased sense of contributing to others’ happiness. Conclusion Our study reveals that adopting a caregiving role often leads to significant psychosocial challenges, especially in intensive caregiving situations. However, it also uncovers potential positive influences on eudaimonic aspects of well-being. Future research should explore underlying explanatory mechanisms, to inform strategies that enhance caregivers’ well-being. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:34:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-918ecd990a9f4b4aa9792d4f9781e525 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:34:08Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-918ecd990a9f4b4aa9792d4f9781e5252024-03-05T20:45:28ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832024-03-0112111410.1186/s40359-024-01623-xThe double-edged sword of becoming a caregiver: dynamic impact on four dimensions of well-being in NorwayFredrik Methi0Ragnhild Bang Nes1Vegard Skirbekk2Thomas Hansen3Department of Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public HealthDepartment of Mental Health and Suicide, Norwegian Institute of Public HealthCenter for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public HealthDepartment of Mental Health and Suicide, Norwegian Institute of Public HealthAbstract Background Becoming a caregiver can be a transformative journey with profound, multifaceted implications for well-being. However, existing research predominantly emphasizes the negative aspects of caregiving, paying less attention to the positive sides. This study aims to explore the impact of transitioning into a caregiving role on various well-being indicators, such as negative hedonic, positive hedonic, eudaimonic, and social well-being. Methods We use Norwegian panel data (2019–2021) and employ a combination of nearest-neighbour matching and a difference-in-differences approach to analyse well-being trajectories among new caregivers (n = 304) and non-caregivers (n = 7822). We assess ten items capturing the dimensions of negative hedonic (anxiousness, sadness, and worriedness), positive hedonic (happiness and life satisfaction), eudaimonic (contributing to others’ happiness, engagement, and meaning), and social (strong social relations and loneliness) well-being. Results Our results show a general increase in negative hedonic well-being and a decline in positive hedonic well-being for new caregivers. These impacts are larger for caregivers providing daily care, compared to those providing weekly and monthly care, and for those providing care inside rather than outside their own household. We observe only minor differences regarding gender and age. Interestingly, we also notice neutral or beneficial changes for eudaimonic aspects of well-being; of note, caregivers generally experience an increased sense of contributing to others’ happiness. Conclusion Our study reveals that adopting a caregiving role often leads to significant psychosocial challenges, especially in intensive caregiving situations. However, it also uncovers potential positive influences on eudaimonic aspects of well-being. Future research should explore underlying explanatory mechanisms, to inform strategies that enhance caregivers’ well-being.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01623-xCaregivingPsychosocial well-beingLonelinessNorwayLongitudinal analysis |
| spellingShingle | Fredrik Methi Ragnhild Bang Nes Vegard Skirbekk Thomas Hansen The double-edged sword of becoming a caregiver: dynamic impact on four dimensions of well-being in Norway BMC Psychology Caregiving Psychosocial well-being Loneliness Norway Longitudinal analysis |
| title | The double-edged sword of becoming a caregiver: dynamic impact on four dimensions of well-being in Norway |
| title_full | The double-edged sword of becoming a caregiver: dynamic impact on four dimensions of well-being in Norway |
| title_fullStr | The double-edged sword of becoming a caregiver: dynamic impact on four dimensions of well-being in Norway |
| title_full_unstemmed | The double-edged sword of becoming a caregiver: dynamic impact on four dimensions of well-being in Norway |
| title_short | The double-edged sword of becoming a caregiver: dynamic impact on four dimensions of well-being in Norway |
| title_sort | double edged sword of becoming a caregiver dynamic impact on four dimensions of well being in norway |
| topic | Caregiving Psychosocial well-being Loneliness Norway Longitudinal analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01623-x |
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