The dynamics of social care and paid work in mid-life

Gomez Leon, Madelin, Evandrou, Maria, Falkingham, Jane and Vlachantoni, Athina (2016) The dynamics of social care and paid work in mid-life. British Society of Population Studies Annual Conference, Winchester, United Kingdom. 11 - 13 Sep 2016.

Abstract

Objectives. This study investigates the impact of informal care provision to older parents/parents-in-law on the employment status of adult-children in mid-life.
Methods. The study analyses unique longitudinal data of a cohort of individuals born in Britain in 1958. The analytical sample comprises all respondents who were at risk of providing care (i.e. with at least one surviving parent/parent-in-law) and who were in employment at age 46. Logistic regression the investigates the impact of caring on changing employment status between 46 and 50, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, respondent’s health status and partner’s employment status.
Results. Continuous caring was significantly associated with reducing or stopping work, with the effects mediated by the carers’ own occupational category and health and by their partner’s employment status. Amongst those caring at age 50, those providing higher intensity care (10+ hours a week) were more likely to have adjusted their employment patterns between 46 and 50 than those in less intense roles and male carers were more likely to have adjusted their employment patterns than female carers. Duration and intensity of care matter.
Discussion. The ability to combine paid work and parental care in mid-life will be increasingly important in the context of rising longevity.

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Contributors

Author: Maria Evandrou

Author: Jane Falkingham

Author: Athina Vlachantoni

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