Caring Lives: What do young people who care for family members need to thrive? An empirical investigation

该提案提供了一种新颖的方法来研究年轻护工，提出了一种混合方法，以纵向研究补充定性研究。这项研究将侧重于年轻照顾者的心理健康，并将考虑支持积极照顾的潜在干预措施。鉴于下放的《社会服务和福利法》要求更好地评估和支持该群体的需求，这是及时的。在以往研究的基础上，就支持青年照顾者和心理健康的机制发展理论，以便为《社会服务和福利法案》所要求的实践提供信息。具体研究问题如下：1。纵向数据是否支持先前关于年轻照顾者对心理健康影响的定性研究？2. 与同龄人相比，年轻护工的心理健康状况如何？3. 支持关怀和幸福的因果机制是什么？4. 在政策和实践中有哪些杠杆可以促成变革并更好地支持年轻的照顾者？5. 支持积极护理的干预措施是什么样的？

The proposal offers an original approach to the study of young carers, proposing a mixed methods approach that complements qualitative research with a longitudinal study. The research will focus on the mental health of young carers and will conclude with consideration of potential interventions that will support positive caring. It is timely given the devolved Social Services and Well-Being Act which includes the requirement to better assess and support the needs of the group.To build on previous research and develop theory on the mechanisms underpinning young carers and mental health, in order to inform the practice required under the Social Services and Well-Being Act. Specific research questions are as follows: 1. Does longitudinal data support previous qualitative research on the mental well-being impacts of being a young carer? 2. How does the mental well-being of young carers compare with their peers? 3. What are the causal mechanisms underpinning caring and well-being? 4. What are the levers in policy and practice that can enable change and better support young carers? 5. What does an intervention for supporting positive care look like?