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Women with Multiple Roles: The Emotional Impact of Caring for Ageing Parents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 1997

BARBARA MURPHY
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne and St Vincent's Hospital, Psychiatric Services, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
HILARY SCHOFIELD
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne and St Vincent's Hospital, Psychiatric Services, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
JULIE NANKERVIS
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne and St Vincent's Hospital, Psychiatric Services, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
SIDNEY BLOCH
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne and St Vincent's Hospital, Psychiatric Services, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
HELEN HERRMAN
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne and St Vincent's Hospital, Psychiatric Services, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
BRUCE SINGH
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia

Abstract

As part of a wider study of family caregiving, a sample of 297 women caring for an ageing parent were identified through a random statewide telephone survey involving over 26,000 households in Victoria, Australia. In addition to elder care, half these women were in paid employment and a third had dependent children. Overload was highest for carers with multiple roles, particularly those of parent or worker. Resentment in the caring role was highest for those who had fewer roles apart from elder care, particularly those who had quit work, and those without a partner. Life satisfaction was higher for partnered and working carers. These findings highlight the need for structures to support carers to maintain multiple roles, including greater flexibility in the workplace and encouragement of greater reliance on informal networks and formal services, both of which require increased societal acknowledgment of the elder care role.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1997 Cambridge University Press

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