Setting the scene: cross-sectional country comparisons of associations between young adult care and education, employment, and health outcomes in Europe

With increasing demand for informal carers, young adults are taking up care of dependent adults. However, early adulthood is the period in which most people invest in human capital and transition to employment. Being neither in employment nor in training (NEET) during this period may have long-term...

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Main Authors: Mariona Lozano, Elisenda Rentería, Jeroen Spijker, Maike Van Damme, Giorgio Di Gessa, Rebecca Lacey, Baowen Xue, Anne McMunn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:International Journal of Adolescence and Youth
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02673843.2025.2467098
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author Mariona Lozano
Elisenda Rentería
Jeroen Spijker
Maike Van Damme
Giorgio Di Gessa
Rebecca Lacey
Baowen Xue
Anne McMunn
author_facet Mariona Lozano
Elisenda Rentería
Jeroen Spijker
Maike Van Damme
Giorgio Di Gessa
Rebecca Lacey
Baowen Xue
Anne McMunn
author_sort Mariona Lozano
collection DOAJ
description With increasing demand for informal carers, young adults are taking up care of dependent adults. However, early adulthood is the period in which most people invest in human capital and transition to employment. Being neither in employment nor in training (NEET) during this period may have long-term effects, increasing the risk of poor mental health. This study explores data from the third wave of the European Health Survey to better understand the situation of young adult carers (18-29 years old) in Europe. Using multilevel regression models, results indicate that, overall, those who care for dependent adults are more likely to be in NEET status (intensive caring), perceive bad health, and report worse mental health. However, country-level care resources did not affect the gap between carers and non-carers. Hence, cultural differences, or other forms of support, arise as the main role of country differences in the health risks of young adult carers.
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series International Journal of Adolescence and Youth
spelling doaj-art-554c07b0ecb44ebea9287b10b4d50ec62025-08-20T02:29:59ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Adolescence and Youth0267-38432164-45272025-12-0130110.1080/02673843.2025.2467098Setting the scene: cross-sectional country comparisons of associations between young adult care and education, employment, and health outcomes in EuropeMariona Lozano0Elisenda Rentería1Jeroen Spijker2Maike Van Damme3Giorgio Di Gessa4Rebecca Lacey5Baowen Xue6Anne McMunn7Centre for Demographic Studies CED-CERCA, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, SpainCentre for Demographic Studies CED-CERCA, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, SpainCentre for Demographic Studies CED-CERCA, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, SpainCentre for Demographic Studies CED-CERCA, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, SpainResearch Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London, UKResearch Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London, UKResearch Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London, UKResearch Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London, London, UKWith increasing demand for informal carers, young adults are taking up care of dependent adults. However, early adulthood is the period in which most people invest in human capital and transition to employment. Being neither in employment nor in training (NEET) during this period may have long-term effects, increasing the risk of poor mental health. This study explores data from the third wave of the European Health Survey to better understand the situation of young adult carers (18-29 years old) in Europe. Using multilevel regression models, results indicate that, overall, those who care for dependent adults are more likely to be in NEET status (intensive caring), perceive bad health, and report worse mental health. However, country-level care resources did not affect the gap between carers and non-carers. Hence, cultural differences, or other forms of support, arise as the main role of country differences in the health risks of young adult carers.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02673843.2025.2467098Carersyoung adultsEuropeNEETmental healthmultilevel analysis
spellingShingle Mariona Lozano
Elisenda Rentería
Jeroen Spijker
Maike Van Damme
Giorgio Di Gessa
Rebecca Lacey
Baowen Xue
Anne McMunn
Setting the scene: cross-sectional country comparisons of associations between young adult care and education, employment, and health outcomes in Europe
International Journal of Adolescence and Youth
Carers
young adults
Europe
NEET
mental health
multilevel analysis
title Setting the scene: cross-sectional country comparisons of associations between young adult care and education, employment, and health outcomes in Europe
title_full Setting the scene: cross-sectional country comparisons of associations between young adult care and education, employment, and health outcomes in Europe
title_fullStr Setting the scene: cross-sectional country comparisons of associations between young adult care and education, employment, and health outcomes in Europe
title_full_unstemmed Setting the scene: cross-sectional country comparisons of associations between young adult care and education, employment, and health outcomes in Europe
title_short Setting the scene: cross-sectional country comparisons of associations between young adult care and education, employment, and health outcomes in Europe
title_sort setting the scene cross sectional country comparisons of associations between young adult care and education employment and health outcomes in europe
topic Carers
young adults
Europe
NEET
mental health
multilevel analysis
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02673843.2025.2467098
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