Examination of the Determinants of Emotional Experiences in Young Carers

Abstract

　Young carers are children who play a caregiver role that is inappropriate for their age. This study focused on personal, care recipient, family, and external resource factors as determinants of young carers’ emotional experiences and determined the relationship between each factor and their emotional experiences. An Internet survey was conducted among 126 participants (mean age=36.48, SD=8.64, 51 males, 75 females) aged below 25 years who looked after an adult family member. The results of multiple regression analysis using the stepwise method revealed that three factors, excluding care recipient factors, were related to the emotional experiences of young carers. Therefore, their emotional experiences may be influenced by their care roles, relationships with their families, and use of external resources. Thus, social services and psychological support are essential.