Research report No. 16, 2008
The nature and impact of caring for family members with a disability in Australia
Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2008.
ISBN 978-1-921414-02-2. ISSN 1447-1469 (Print); 1477-1477 (Online).
Full Report - The nature and impact of caring for family members with a disability in Australia (PDF 3.3 MB)
Contents
Lists of tables and figures HTML | PDF (36 KB)
Forewords, About the authors, Acknowledgements HTML | PDF (76 KB)
Executive summary HTML | PDF (59 KB)
SECTION A
1. Introduction HTML | PDF (680 KB)
Who provides care for people with a disability?
Outline of the report
Carer Payment
2. Carer Payment and Carer Allowance policy background HTML | PDF (242 KB)
Carer Allowance
Growth in the payments
Characteristics of people receiving Carer Payment
Characteristics of people receiving Carer Allowance
SECTION B: The Families Caring for a Person with a Disability Study
3. Method and sample HTML | PDF (687 KB)
Overview of the sampling procedure and fieldwork
Representativeness of the sample
The interview schedule
Statistical analyses for the report
4. Demographic characteristics of families, finances and service use HTML | PDF (282 KB)
The demographic characteristics of carers
Characteristics of people with a disability
Demographic characteristics of other family members in the household
The financial situation of the household
Use of services
Conclusion
SECTION C: Family relationships and support networks
5. Literature review HTML | PDF (602 KB)
The dimensions of family functioning
Family functioning in the face of stress
Relationship separation and caring for a person with a disability
Support networks in families caring for a person with a disability
Conclusion
6. Empirical findings on relationships, family functioning and supports for carers HTML | PDF (630 KB)
Supports for the person with a disability and their carer
Carers' relationships
Family functioning
Relationship breakdown
Conclusion
SECTION D: The mental and physical health of families caring for a person with a disability
7. Literature review HTML | PDF (754 KB)
Mental health
Physical health
Conclusion
8. Empirical findings on the mental health of carers HTML | PDF (737 KB)
The mental health of carers and the general population
Timing of carers' first depressive episode
Demographic and caring characteristics and carers' mental health
Family functioning
The availability of support people
The mental health of other family members
Conclusion
9. Mental health of other family members, including the person with a disability HTML | PDF (442 KB)
Gender and family members' experience of depression
Timing of family members' first depressive episode
Demographic and caring characteristics and family members' mental health
Family members' experience of depression and carers' depression
Family functioning
Conclusion
10. Empirical findings on the physical health of carers HTML | PDF (340 KB)
Care needs of the person with a disability
Caring for more than one person with a disability
Unmet support needs
Family functioning
SECTION E: Labour force participation
11. Selected labour market issues for female carers: Literature review and empirical findings HTML | PDF (595 KB)
Introduction
Data issues and definitions
The labour force status of carers
Impact of caring on paid employment
Caring and living in jobless households
Concluding comments
SECTION F
12. Conclusion HTML | PDF (576 KB)
Key findings
References HTML | PDF (63 KB)
Appendices HTML | PDF (683 KB)
Survey protocol and response options PDF (241 KB)