Wenn Zugehörige häuslich pflegen: Zusätzliche Belastung oder persönlicher Zugewinn für Freund*in, Nachbar*in und Bekannte*n? – Ergebnisse einer explorativen Querschnittstudie

Background: Although the proportion of non-kin caregivers providing home care for friends, neighbours, and acquaintances is steadily increasing, there is a lack of research that goes beyond the general characteristics of this subgroup. The aim of this exploratory study is to provide the first in-depth examination of the non-kin caregiver population and highlight differences between non-kin and family caregivers in terms of the burden and perceived benefits of informal care. Methods: The data are based on a representative sample (n=2927) of non-kin and family caregivers of statutorily insured care recipients, surveyed in a cross-sectional study in cooperation with MD Bayern. The general characteristics, burden, and perceived benefits of non-kin caregivers (n=71) were examined. The main focus was on comparative analyses with family caregivers (n=2856) using χ²-tests and independent samples t-tests, or corresponding non-parametric tests. Results: Non-kin and family caregivers did not differ in terms of general characteristics. Despite having the same objective burden (t(74.45)=1.80, p=0.077), non-kin caregivers perceived the caregiving situation as significantly less burdensome (t(72.56)=2.57, p=0.012), experienced significantly more benefits from informal care (t(2925)=-3.37, p