Mental Health News
A team of researchers at the University of Michigan delved into the nuances of “sandwich generation” stress. The study is published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
What Is The “Sandwich Generation”?
The “sandwich generation” specifically in the US, refers to the middle-aged group of people who are caring for kids and aging parents.
The Study
The researchers surveyed data from the 2015 National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) and the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS).
They compared individuals and caregiving experiences between sandwich and non-sandwich generation caregivers. They considered factors like employment, realities of caregiving, demographics, gender roles, etc.
The Findings
The results revealed that nearly one-quarter of adults are simultaneously caring for children and parents. This demographic group is also the one that is suffering from financial stress, job burnout, emotional difficulty, and relatively poor mental health.
The authors added: “Our analysis highlights the extraordinary level of demand faced by sandwich generation caregivers. Policymakers and employers should pay special attention to the individuals caught in this ‘trilemma’ of being caregivers to two generations and members of the workforce at the same time.”
To Know More You May Refer To
Lei, L., Leggett, A. N., & Maust, D. T. (2022). A national profile of sandwich generation caregivers providing care to both older adults and children. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 10.1111/jgs.18138. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18138
