Psychosocial resources contributing to resilience in Austrian young carers-A study using photo novella.
Martin Matzka, Martin Nagl-Cupal
PMID 33124047WHAT IT FOUND
Ten Austrian young carers said protected leisure, creative play, time alone, friends, family support, and bonding with the cared-for relative helped them cope.
Their coping resources were described as comparable to other children.
Key findings
01Young carers valued obligation-free leisure time they could use independently, and creative activities were part of every participant's account.
02Interpersonal resources included friendships, family support, and bonding with the ill or disabled relative, with some friendships formed through services that bring young carers together.
03The authors reported that young carers' resources were largely comparable to those available to other children, but they did not objectively confirm positive adaptation.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only ten young carers completed the study, and seven additional recruited young carers dropped out before giving data. The study did not objectively confirm that participants were adapting positively; it relied on recruiter, parent, and participant judgment. Almost all participants cared for siblings while living with two parents, so it may not fit young carers with ill parents or different family structures. Parents were present for three interviews, which may have changed what children said. All participants lived in Vienna, so findings may not fit rural areas with less accessible services. Qualitative interviews describe experiences and themes; they cannot show that any support improves resilience.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that young carers are resilient or that any intervention works. It was a small qualitative study of ten completed participants, and the authors did not objectively confirm positive adaptation.