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The hidden cost of informal care: An empirical study on female caregivers' subjective well-being

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  • Chen, Lu
  • Fan, Hongli
  • Chu, Lanlan

Abstract

Using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), this study investigated the impact of informal care on female caregivers' subjective well-being in China. We found that informal care significantly reduced the subjective well-being of female caregivers using the instrumental variable (IV) ordered probit model. Our results revealed that the care effect on subjective well-being was more significant for rural caregivers than for urban caregivers. The more hours or more recipients care was provided for, the greater the negative impact on subjective well-being. Based on these findings, we further identified the two channels of ‘wealth’ and ‘health’ through which informal care lowered subjective well-being. These results have implications for policy makers in overcoming the challenges involved in constructing and developing a supportive system of informal care in China.

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  • Chen, Lu & Fan, Hongli & Chu, Lanlan, 2019. "The hidden cost of informal care: An empirical study on female caregivers' subjective well-being," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 85-93.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:224:y:2019:i:c:p:85-93
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.01.051
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    2. Jingyi Ai & Jin Feng & Yangyang Yu, 2022. "Elderly Care Provision and the Impact on Caregiver Health in China," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 30(5), pages 206-226, September.
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    5. Xueqin Deng & Jiaxin Liao & Rong Peng & Jiahao Chen, 2022. "The Impact of Long-Term Care Insurance on Medical Utilization and Expenditures: Evidence from Jingmen, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-18, September.
    6. Huan Liu, 2021. "Formal and Informal Care: Complementary or Substitutes in Care for Elderly People? Empirical Evidence From China," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(2), pages 21582440211, May.
    7. Sean Urwin & Yiu‐Shing Lau & Gunn Grande & Matt Sutton, 2023. "Informal caregiving, time use and experienced wellbeing," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(2), pages 356-374, February.
    8. Marie Blaise & Laetitia Dillenseger, 2023. "Informal Caregivers and Life Satisfaction: Empirical Evidence from the Netherlands," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(6), pages 1883-1930, August.
    9. Lowe, Thomas A. & Meijering, Louise & de Haas, Billie, 2023. "The role of performativity in informal dementia carers' capability to be mobile," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 329(C).
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    11. Katja Möhring & Sabine Zinn & Ulrike Ehrlich, 2023. "Family care during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Germany: longitudinal evidence on consequences for the well-being of caregivers," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 1-11, December.
    12. Lei, Xiaoyan & Bai, Chen & Hong, Jingpeng & Liu, Hong, 2022. "Long-term care insurance and the well-being of older adults and their families: Evidence from China," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 296(C).

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