Informal old adult care provision and caregivers’ health status in Italy

This study investigates the relationship between informal caregiving for elderly parents and caregivers' self-reported health (SRH) in Italy. Using data from the 2016 Survey on Families, Social Subjects, and the Life Cycle (FSS), we analyze a representative sample of individuals aged 35–74 with at least one living parent or parent-in-law. Logistic regression models are applied to assess the impact of caregiving on health outcomes, considering gender and care intensity. Results show that informal caregiving is significantly associated with lower SRH, with more pronounced negative effects among women and those providing high-intensity care (over 20 hours per week). Female caregivers experience a 25% reduction in the likelihood of reporting good health, with the effect intensifying for those engaged in high-intensity caregiving. These findings highlight the burden of informal caregiving and emphasize the need for gender-sensitive policies to support caregivers and mitigate negative health outcomes.