Carers’ depression extends to the family
A survey by the Australian Institute of Family Studies has found that carers are far more likely to suffer depression than other people in the community, and the condition is shared by their immediate family.
Of 1,000 carers checked, it was found 19% of females suffered clinical depression in the four weeks before the study, compared with 11% of women generally.
For male carers the figure was 13% compared with the normal level of 8%.
After starting in the role of carer, 51% of female carers reported an episode of depression lasting more than six months, while more than 30% of male carers reported a similar problem.
The family flow-on continued with 27% of the carers’ partners, 12% of their parents, and 10% of their children also experiencing a depressive episode lasting six months or longer.
Professor Alan Hayes, the Institute’s director, said that the impact of caring on families as a whole, had to be weighed up in policy decisions.
“We found there are significant social and emotional costs for all family members”, Professor Hayes said.
