2022 Volume 42 Pages 494-500
Objective: The purpose of this study is to present a definition and conceptual diagram of the concept of “young carers in Japan”.
Method: The Rodgers method of concept analysis was used. Some Japanese text search databases were searched for relevant keywords, and 35 articles were identified and analyzed.
Results: The attributes identified were Various types of care, Excessive roles and responsibilities, Striving to maintain the family, Complex emotions, and No awareness of the situation. The antecedents identified were Family system and dynamics, Unmet care needs, A concealed existence. The consequences identified were Making sense of one’s own existence, A negative cycle within the family, Impact on one’s growth and development as a child, Impact on building a social and economic foundation, Social loss, Carers tend to be invisible.
Conclusion: Young carers in Japan “Children under the age of 18 who have excessive roles and responsibilities, providing a variety of proxy and mental health care at home. While striving to maintain their families, they grapple with complex emotions but are not aware of the situation they are in.” Information needs to be shared with individuals providing support to those carers and issues with and specific forms of support need to be discussed.
