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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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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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