A new study from University College London (UCL) reveals that people who care for both their children and aging family members—commonly called “sandwich carers”—face significant declines in their mental and physical health over time.
These findings shed light on the growing challenges faced by this group, which is increasing due to longer life spans and the trend of having children later in life.
The study, published in Public Health, analyzed data from approximately 4,000 participants over 11 years, comparing the experiences of around 2,000 sandwich carers with 2,000 non-sandwich carers. The data came from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, which tracks various aspects of health and lifestyle.
Sandwich carers are typically responsible for raising dependent children under the age of 16 while also providing care for aging parents or relatives. In the UK, about 1.3 million people are estimated to fall into this category, most of them aged 30–49, with an average age of 36.8 in this study.
Researchers sought to understand how taking on the dual caregiving role affects the health of these individuals over time.
The team tracked participants’ health for nine years, looking at the period before, during, and after they became sandwich carers.
They used statistical models to compare health outcomes between sandwich carers and non-sandwich carers, focusing on mental and physical health changes. They also considered factors such as the number of caregiving hours and gender.
Mental health was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), which measures issues like concentration difficulties, sleep problems, and feelings of strain.
Physical health was evaluated using a Physical Component Summary (PCS), which accounts for general health, mobility, pain, and limitations in daily tasks caused by physical problems.
The results showed that becoming a sandwich carer significantly impacts mental health. Those who spent more than 20 hours per week on caregiving duties experienced the sharpest mental health declines, which often persisted for years.
Physical health also worsened for intensive caregivers during this transition, with increased issues in mobility, pain, and overall physical well-being.
Dr. Baowen Xue, the study’s lead author, emphasized the severity of these challenges, noting that the demands of balancing childcare and elder care take a heavy toll on well-being.
“These individuals often experience a decline in their mental and physical health. It’s crucial that we recognize and support the unique needs of this growing group to ensure their health and resilience,” Dr. Xue said.
The findings underline the need for better societal and institutional support for sandwich carers. The researchers recommend targeted measures such as respite care, workplace flexibility, and accessible resources to help caregivers manage their responsibilities without compromising their health.
These steps could alleviate some of the burdens on sandwich carers, particularly those providing intensive care.
The study highlights the urgent need for action to support sandwich carers, a group whose numbers are likely to grow in the coming years.
Without proper interventions, the health and well-being of these caregivers could continue to deteriorate, impacting not only their lives but also those of the family members who depend on them.
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The research findings can be found in Public Health.
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