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How has COVID-19 and associated mitigation measures impacted on the mental health of carers?

  • Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
  • Total publications:0 publications

Grant number: C19-IUC-382

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Key facts

  • Disease

    COVID-19

  • Funder

    UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

  • Principal Investigator

    Elise Whitley

  • Research Location

    United Kingdom

  • Lead Research Institution

    MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit at the University of Glasgow

  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A

  • Research Category

    Secondary impacts of disease, response & control measures

  • Research Subcategory

    Indirect health impacts

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Non-Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    N/A

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Adults (18 and older)

  • Vulnerable Population

    Unspecified

  • Occupations of Interest

    Caregivers

Abstract

There are an estimated nine million carers in the UK and pre-pandemic studies indicate that carers have poorer mental health than the general population. With many formal and informal carer support schemes withdrawn due to Covid restrictions we seek to understand how carer mental health may have been affected by the pandemic. Using survey data (Understanding Society and COVID-specific surveys) we will explore changes in mental health of those caring for others in the home. We will consider the relationship of carer to care-recipient and the nature of the recipient's condition, as well as the impact of factors such as the withdrawal of external support, changes to carer workload and role, and the shielding status of both carer and care-recipient.