| 1. |
- Barbabella, Francesco, et al.
(author)
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Deliverable 3.6: Final report on the “Methodological Framework”
- 2011
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This report proposes a framework for Impact Assessment of ICT-enabled services to support informal carers, at family, organisational and national levels, and applies this framework to assess the evidence for impact in 12 cases from Europe and North America.
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| 2. |
- Barbabella, Francesco, Dr. 1984-, et al.
(author)
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Recruitment of Adolescent Young Carers to a Psychosocial Support Intervention Study in Six European Countries : Lessons Learned from the ME-WE Project
- 2023
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In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 20:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Young carers provide a substantial amount of care to family members and support to friends, yet their situation has not been actively addressed in research and policy in many European countries or indeed globally. Awareness of their situation by professionals and among children and young carers themselves remains low overall. Thus, young carers remain a largely hidden group within society. This study reports and analyses the recruitment process in a multi-centre intervention study offering psychosocial support to adolescent young carers (AYCs) aged 15–17 years. A cluster-randomised controlled trial was designed, with recruitment taking place in Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom exploiting various channels, including partnerships with schools, health and social services and carers organisations. In total, 478 AYCs were recruited and, after screening failures, withdrawals and initial dropouts, 217 were enrolled and started the intervention. Challenges encountered in reaching, recruiting and retaining AYCs included low levels of awareness among AYCs, a low willingness to participate in study activities, uncertainty about the prevalence of AYCs, a limited school capacity to support the recruitment; COVID-19 spreading in 2020–2021 and related restrictions. Based on this experience, recommendations are put forward for how to better engage AYCs in research.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- D’Amen, Barbara, et al.
(author)
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Italian Adolescent Young Caregivers of Grandparents : Difficulties Experienced and Support Needed in Intergenerational Caregiving—Qualitative Findings from a European Union Funded Project
- 2022
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In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 19:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The article aims to describe the experiences of 87 Italian adolescent young caregivers (AYCs) of grandparents (GrPs), with reference to the caregiving stress appraisal model (CSA) that provides a theoretical lens to explore the difficulties encountered and support needed in their caring role. Qualitative data were drawn from an online survey conducted within an EU Horizon 2020 funded project. An inductive thematic analysis was carried out, and the findings were critically interpreted within the conceptual framework of the CSA model. The analysis highlighted three categories of difficulties: material, communication and emotional/psychological. The most common material difficulty was the physical strain associated with moving “uncooperative” disabled older adults. The types of support needed concerned both emotional and material support. The study provides a deeper understanding of the under-studied experiences of AYCs of GrPs. Based on these findings, policies and support measures targeted at AYCs of GrPs should include early needs detection, emotional support and training on intergenerational caring in order to mitigate the stress drivers. Moreover, the study advances the conceptualisation of the CSA model by considering the above-mentioned aspects related to intergenerational caregiving
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| 5. |
- Di Matteo, Claudia, et al.
(author)
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The influence of gender and class on the transition to retirement: A longitudinal qualitative study on Italian older workers’ experiences
- 2022
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In: The Sociological Review. - : SAGE Publications. - 0038-0261 .- 1467-954X. ; 70:3, s. 506-525
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study is the reconstruction of the multifaceted points of view related to the transition from work to retirement using a gender perspective. This article includes 40 interviews of ageing Italian workers, 24 women and 16 men, carried out in the cusp of retirement (wave 1) and two years after retirement (wave 3). The experiences related to the ‘decision to retire’ and ‘life after retirement’ were analysed using a complex theoretical framework based on the work of Bourdieu combined with the concept of gendered habitus developed by feminists’ theorizations. The findings identified the elements characterizing women’s narratives in such a way that it was possible to describe the ambivalent women’s positions embedded in the Italian socio-economic context. The voices of the participants were taken as case examples to draw attention to the critical nature of personal gendered identities, which are mostly influenced by structural conditions related to a particular welfare regime (e.g. work and retirement policies) aiming to fix normative behaviours in later life. Nevertheless, the gendered habitus, as an expression of inner discourses, illustrates at the same time the nature of both constraints and freedom possessed by the respondents. We conclude by pointing out the importance of reflexive social approaches applied to the study of gender inequalities in later life.
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| 6. |
- Hanson, Elizabeth, 1961-, et al.
(author)
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Research and Innovation for and with Adolescent Young Carers to Influence Policy and Practice—The European Union Funded “ME-WE” Project
- 2022
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In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 19:16
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Young carers are children and adolescents who provide care to other family members or friends, taking over responsibilities that are usually associated with adulthood. There is emerging but still scarce knowledge worldwide about the phenomenon of young carers and the impact of a caring role on their health, social and personal development spheres. This paper provides an overview of the main results from the ME-WE project, which is the first European research and innovation project dedicated to adolescent young carers (AYCs) (15–17 years). The project methods relied on three main activities: (1) a systematization of knowledge (by means of a survey to AYCs, country case studies, Delphi study, literature review); (2) the co-design, implementation and evaluation of a primary prevention intervention addressing AYCs’ mental health (by means of Blended Learning Networks and a clinical trial in six European countries); (3) the implementation of knowledge translation actions for dissemination, awareness, advocacy and lobbying (by means of national and international stakeholder networks, as well as traditional and new media). Project results substantially contributed to a better understanding of AYCs’ conditions, needs and preferences, defined tailored support intervention (resilient to COVID-19 related restrictions), and significant improvements in national and European policies for AYCs.
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| 7. |
- Herman Nap, Henk, et al.
(author)
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D3.1 Consolidated strategy and theory report : ME-WE project deliverable
- 2018
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This deliverable presents the results from three activities to provide an in-depth systematic overview of successful strategies to improve Young Carers (YCs’) mental health and wellbeing. The results form a base for a consolidated strategy and theory for the ME-WE intervention and app to be further developed in WP4. A Delphi study gathered insights into the visibility, awareness, interventions and future needs of YCs in six European countries and on an international level. In addition, a systematic literature review, a general literature review, and social media analyses were carried out. Following these tasks, a rating, ranking and consolidation task was performed to iteratively build a dynamic ranked high impact list with national and international strategies and programmes that can serve as exemplars for the ME-WE intervention.
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| 8. |
- Leu, Agnes, et al.
(author)
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Cross-national Analysis of Legislation, Policy and Service Frameworks for Adolescent Young Carers in Europe
- 2022
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In: Journal of Youth Studies. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1367-6261 .- 1469-9680. ; 25:9, s. 1215-1235
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Despite some national examinations of policy responses for young carers (YCs), this study provides a first comprehensive cross-national comparison of the different legislation, policy and service frameworks that exist to protect and support adolescent young carers (AYCs) in six European countries (Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom) and how these are enacted. Until now, research has focused on estimating numbers of AYCs and the impact of caring tasks. A preliminary examination of policy responses to YCs was followed by expert interviews. Case study analysis of 25 interviews and a cross-national synthesis were undertaken before incorporating feedback from former YCs. Different responses to YCs were found, ranging from protection and support in policy and legislation and a definition for YCs, to a total lack of recognition and support. Findings highlight the potential to extend existing legislation, policy and service frameworks to include AYCs, and the importance of recognising and raising awareness of YCs. Awareness should be raised at all levels of society for example with professionals in health, social and education sectors and the general public. A definition for YCs is needed, so AYCs can self-identify and AYCs should be recognised as an important target group for policy makers.
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| 9. |
- Leu, Agnes, et al.
(author)
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D2.1 Final report on case study analysis of policy, legal and service frameworks in six countries : ME-WE project deliverable
- 2018
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This report provides a first comprehensive transnational comparison of the different legislation, policy and service frameworks that exist to protect and support adolescent young carers (AYCs) in six European countries (Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom) and how these work in practice. Until now, research has primarily focused on estimating the numbers of AYCs and the impact that their caring tasks have on them. Work Package 2 (WP2: National policy, legal and service frameworks) is part of the overall project “Psychosocial support for promoting mental health and wellbeing among adolescent young carers in Europe” (ME-WE), funded by the European Union (Horizon 2020).
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| 10. |
- Leu, Agnes, et al.
(author)
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The 2021 cross-national and comparative classification of in-country awareness and policy responses to ‘young carers’
- 2023
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In: Journal of Youth Studies. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1367-6261 .- 1469-9680. ; 26:5, s. 619-636
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Many children under the age of 18 are drawn into unpaid caring roles because they live in families where there is chronic illness, mental health problems or substance misuse, and because other alternatives are not available. Many of these children, widely referred to as ‘young carers’, provides regular and significant amounts of care, often ‘hidden’ because of the absence of awareness by professionals in the fields of education, health and social care. While there are some positive outcomes for children, published research also shows that children’s caring tasks can have negative outcomes, especially during the transition between school and further/higher education and paid work. This paper presents an overview, cross-national and comparative analysis of the different legislation, policy and service frameworks to support young carers in a number of countries. It utilises a qualitative assessment approach and a 7-point classification to understand the state of development and progress since 2017. While the legislation, policy and service frameworks differ significantly among the observed countries, an international and collaborative research network has emerged in the last five years. This plays a vital role as a driver for increasing the awareness of young carers and further national and cross-national policy developments in the future.
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