Cover International Journal of Care and Caring
International Journal of Care and Caring

Looking beyond hours of care: the effects of care strain on work withdrawal among Australian workers

Authors: Andreea Constantin1, Myra Hamilton1, Nate Zettna1, Marian Baird1, Daniel Dinale1, Lisa Gulesserian1, and Alison Williams1
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  • 1 University of Sydney, Australia
Article Category:
Research Article
Copyright:
© Policy Press 2022
Online Publication Date:
20 Jan 2022
Pages:
318–334
Publisher:
Policy Press
Volume/Issue:
Volume 6: Issue 3
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1332/239788221X16393997978971
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This article advances understanding of the unpaid care–paid work nexus for carers of a person with a disability or illness, or a frail older relative. It examines the relationship between care intensity (measured in terms of both care hours and care strain) and withdrawal from work (measured in terms of both withdrawal of time spent in paid work and withdrawal from career development and progression). The analysis reveals that care strain has a stronger relationship with all dimensions of work withdrawal than care hours. It also reveals that the relationship between care strain and work withdrawal is moderated by a family-supportive work environment. The article sheds new light on the potential role of workplace cultures in mitigating the impacts of work–care conflict.

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