Observed effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the life satisfaction, psychological distress and loneliness of Australian carers and non-carers

Azadeh Abbasi-Shavazi, Nicholas Biddle, Ben Edwards, Maria Jahromi

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    6 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Using six waves of longitudinal data, we investigate wellbeing, psychological distress and loneliness differences between informal carers and non-carers in the context of COVID-19-related policy changes in Australia. Wellbeing levels fluctuated along with the virus case numbers. Free childcare temporarily alleviated the disparity between carers and non-carers, but by its cessation, carers, in particular, reported lower wellbeing and higher psychological distress. Wage subsidies and income supports had opposing effects for carers’ and non-carers’ mental health but decreased the loneliness of both groups. Victorians, living in the state where the second wave of infections in Australia was concentrated, experienced worse outcomes than other Australians.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)179-209
    Number of pages31
    JournalInternational Journal of Care and Caring
    Volume6
    Issue number1-2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Feb 2022

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