Cuidadoras de personas dependientes en España: desigualdades, invisibilidad social y consecuencias físicas y mentales

The working and social conditions of formal and informal carers have historically been insufficiently addressed in social research. Hence, our object of study is to examine, analyse and reflect on the social inequalities, their lack of visibility, and the physical and psychological consequences suffered by female carers. A qualitative methodology was used based on semi-structured interviews with formal and informal female carers and sector experts. The study reveals an underlying gap of social disparities among carers, along with a territorial segregation of care provision in Spain. This highlights the pressing need for public authorities to give visibility to and address the existing social issues within the care market, which have repercussions across the different spheres of the welfare state.