Paradoxical well-being: time use, psychological distress, and subjective well-being in informal caregiving

Ping, Ruru, Hu, Bo ORCID: 0000-0002-5256-505X and Oshio, Takashi (2025) Paradoxical well-being: time use, psychological distress, and subjective well-being in informal caregiving. The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences. ISSN 1079-5014 (In Press)

Text (Time Use Psychological Distress and Subjective Well-Being in Informal Caregiving (Accepted version) (002)) - Accepted Version Pending embargo until 1 January 2100. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (964kB)

Abstract

The adverse impact of informal caregiving on caregiver mental health is well-documented, but less is known about how daily time use relates to mental health. This study investigated whether there are distinct daily time-use patterns among family caregivers in Japan and whether these patterns are associated with mental health outcomes. Using nationally representative Japanese panel data for the period 2017-2020 (N = 1,557), we conducted latent profile analysis and multilevel regression analyses to answer our research questions. We identified four distinct caregiver types based on daily time use: (1) full-time workers providing minimal care, (2) marginal caregivers balancing part-time work, housework, and light care; (3) dual caregivers managing childcare and long-term care, and (4) intensive caregivers. Group 1 typically comprised employed men caring for their parents. Groups 2-4 were predominantly female, with Group 4 comprising single women providing high-intensity personal care to a co-residing recipient with severe needs. Household living standards did not differ across groups. Regression analyses showed that marginal and intensive caregivers were more likely than full-time workers to experience psychological distress. Paradoxically, intensive caregivers also reported higher subjective well-being. Our study highlighted the importance of recognizing diverse time-use patterns among caregivers and tailoring support measures accordingly. Policies must also consider cultural values in societies where intensive family caregiving may persist despite accessible public services. Because caregivers may experience both distress and fulfilment, caregiver support should be a critical policy priority. [Abstract copyright: © The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.]

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2025 The Author(s)
Divisions:	Care Policy and Evaluation Centre Economics
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Date Deposited:	11 Dec 2025 06:09
Last Modified:	12 Dec 2025 14:27
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/130591

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