Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on carer-employees’ well-being: a twelve-country comparison
The aim of this analysis is to assess the potential ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Canadian carer-employees (CEs) and identify the needs CEs feel is required for them to continue providing care. We assess the similarities and differences in the stresses CEs faced during COVID-19 global...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Wellbeing, Space and Society |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558122000513 |
| _version_ | 1797798617375834112 |
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| author | Jerry Wu Allison Williams Li Wang Nadine Henningsen Peter Kitchen |
| author_facet | Jerry Wu Allison Williams Li Wang Nadine Henningsen Peter Kitchen |
| author_sort | Jerry Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of this analysis is to assess the potential ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Canadian carer-employees (CEs) and identify the needs CEs feel is required for them to continue providing care. We assess the similarities and differences in the stresses CEs faced during COVID-19 globally across countries in the G7, Australia, Spain, Brazil, Taiwan, India, and China. We aim to compare Canada against global trends with respect to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the supports in place for CEs. The study utilized 2020 Carer Well-Being Index at the country level. Descriptive data on Canadian CEs is first reviewed, followed by comparisons, by country, on responses relating to: (a) time spent caring; (b) sources of support; (c) impact on paid work and career, and; (d) emotional/mental, financial, and physical health. The relationship between government support and emotional/mental health is also explored. When compared to pre-pandemic times, CEs in Canada on average spent more time caregiving, with 34% reporting more difficulty balancing their paid job and caring responsibilities. Seventy-one percent of CEs feel their mental health has deteriorated. Thirty-four percent of Canadian CEs received support from the government, and only 30% received support from their employers. Globally, there was a similar trend, with CEs experiencing deteriorating mental health, work impacts, and unmet needs during the pandemic. Comparing the well-being of Canadian CEs with other countries provides an opportunity to evaluate areas where Canadian policies and programs have been effective, as well as areas needing improvement. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T04:06:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9fd1689f218f46cdb739ad64b714b5e5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-5581 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T04:06:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Wellbeing, Space and Society |
| spelling | doaj.art-9fd1689f218f46cdb739ad64b714b5e52023-06-21T07:00:40ZengElsevierWellbeing, Space and Society2666-55812023-01-014100123Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on carer-employees’ well-being: a twelve-country comparisonJerry Wu0Allison Williams1Li Wang2Nadine Henningsen3Peter Kitchen4Department of Mathematics, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, CanadaSchool of Earth, Environment &Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaOfford Center for Child Study & Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Corresponding author at: Offord Center for Child Study & Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, L8S 4K1, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaCanadian Home Care Association & Carers Canada, Mississauga, Ontario, L5N 1W1School of Earth, Environment &Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaThe aim of this analysis is to assess the potential ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Canadian carer-employees (CEs) and identify the needs CEs feel is required for them to continue providing care. We assess the similarities and differences in the stresses CEs faced during COVID-19 globally across countries in the G7, Australia, Spain, Brazil, Taiwan, India, and China. We aim to compare Canada against global trends with respect to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the supports in place for CEs. The study utilized 2020 Carer Well-Being Index at the country level. Descriptive data on Canadian CEs is first reviewed, followed by comparisons, by country, on responses relating to: (a) time spent caring; (b) sources of support; (c) impact on paid work and career, and; (d) emotional/mental, financial, and physical health. The relationship between government support and emotional/mental health is also explored. When compared to pre-pandemic times, CEs in Canada on average spent more time caregiving, with 34% reporting more difficulty balancing their paid job and caring responsibilities. Seventy-one percent of CEs feel their mental health has deteriorated. Thirty-four percent of Canadian CEs received support from the government, and only 30% received support from their employers. Globally, there was a similar trend, with CEs experiencing deteriorating mental health, work impacts, and unmet needs during the pandemic. Comparing the well-being of Canadian CEs with other countries provides an opportunity to evaluate areas where Canadian policies and programs have been effective, as well as areas needing improvement.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558122000513CarerCaregivingWell-beingWorkCOVID-19International |
| spellingShingle | Jerry Wu Allison Williams Li Wang Nadine Henningsen Peter Kitchen Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on carer-employees’ well-being: a twelve-country comparison Wellbeing, Space and Society Carer Caregiving Well-being Work COVID-19 International |
| title | Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on carer-employees’ well-being: a twelve-country comparison |
| title_full | Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on carer-employees’ well-being: a twelve-country comparison |
| title_fullStr | Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on carer-employees’ well-being: a twelve-country comparison |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on carer-employees’ well-being: a twelve-country comparison |
| title_short | Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on carer-employees’ well-being: a twelve-country comparison |
| title_sort | impacts of the covid 19 pandemic on carer employees well being a twelve country comparison |
| topic | Carer Caregiving Well-being Work COVID-19 International |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558122000513 |
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