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Full-Time Caregiving During COVID-19 Based on Minority Identifications, Generation, and Vaccination Status

Erica S. Jablonski ^a

Chris R. Surfus ^b

Megan Henly ^a

^aUniversity of New Hampshire, USA

^bWestern Michigan University, USA

Social Factors, Health Care Inequities and Vaccination

ISBN: 978-1-83753-795-2, eISBN: 978-1-83753-794-5

Publication date: 28 August 2023

Abstract

Purpose

This study compared different types of full-time caregiver (e.g., children, older adults, COVID-19 patients) and subgroups (e.g., disability, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation) in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic for potentially meaningful distinctions.

Methodology/Approach

Data from the 9,854 full-time caregivers identified in Phase 3.2 (July 21–October 11, 2021) of the US Census Household Pulse Survey (HPS) were analyzed in this study using multinomial logistic regression to examine relationships between caregiver types, marginalized subgroups, generation, and vaccination status.

Findings

The prevalence of caregiving was low, but the type of full-time caregiving performed varied by demographic group (i.e., disability, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, generation, and vaccination status). The relative risk of being a COVID-19 caregiver remained significant for being a member of each of the marginalized groups examined after all adjustments.

Limitations/Implications

To date, the HPS has not been analyzed to predict the type of full-time informal caregiving performed during the COVID-19 pandemic or their characteristics. Research limitations of this analysis include the cross-sectional, experimental dataset employed, as well as some variable measurement issues.

Originality/Value of Paper

Prior informal caregiver research has often focused on the experiences of those caring for older adults or children with special healthcare needs. It may be instructive to learn whether and how informal caregivers excluded from paid employment during infectious disease outbreaks vary in meaningful ways from those engaged in other full-time caregiving. Because COVID-19 magnified equity concerns, examining demographic differences may also facilitate customization of pathways to post-caregiving workforce integration.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was provided by the Advanced Rehabilitation Research and Training (ARRT) Program on Employment at the University of New Hampshire, which is funded by the National Institute for Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, in the Administration for Community Living, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) under grant number 90AREM000401. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of DHHS and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government (EDGAR, 75.620 (b)).

Citation

Jablonski, E.S., Surfus, C.R. and Henly, M. (2023), "Full-Time Caregiving During COVID-19 Based on Minority Identifications, Generation, and Vaccination Status", Kronenfeld, J.J. (Ed.) Social Factors, Health Care Inequities and Vaccination (Research in the Sociology of Health Care, Vol. 40), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 43-64. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0275-495920230000040003

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited