Caregiver resilience factors among young adult family caregivers of frail elders

Abstract

ABSTRACTYoung adult family caregivers (age 18–34) are increasingly providing care to their older family members with chronic, disabling, or other serious health conditions. Little is known on young adult family caregivers and their resilience in the context of family interaction and resources. Utilizing the 2015 National Study of Caregiving (NOSC) data, the aim of this study is to examine the correlation of caregiver strain, with the three elements of Family Resilience model: beliefs, family organizational patterns, and communication processes. The results of the study found that two parameters of NOSC in particular were associated with less caregiver strain: completed trainings and enjoying being with the care recipient. In addition, the parameter “feeling lonely,” defined as having a few friends was found significantly associated with higher caregiver strain. The results demonstrated the importance of understanding the unique resilience factors and tailored interventions for young adult family caregivers.KEYWORDS: Young adult family caregiversfamily resiliencecaregiver strain AcknowledgmentsThis project was supported by PSC-CUNY grant (2023–2024) from the City University of New York to Author.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Institutional Review BoardFile # 2022-0682, Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York.Additional informationFundingThis work is supported by PSC-CUNY grant (2023–2024) from the City University of New York.