Transitioning into informal care and occupational self-efficacy : A difference-in-differences propensity score matching analysis using representative German employee data.

BACKGROUND

Due to demographic ageing, the number of care receivers has been rising, while the number of caregivers is decreasing in many countries. Informal caregiving often begins while still in active employment often leading to role conflicts. The dual burden can negatively affect job performance and lead to changes in occupational self-efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

Despite being of high relevance for individuals, organizations and society, there is a research gap concerning occupational self-efficacy, which may serve as a mechanism for reduced working hours or exit from the labor market after taking on care responsibilities. Thus, this article analyzes the impact of transitioning into informal caregiving on occupational self-efficacy longitudinally.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study included the 2017, 2019 and 2021 waves of the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) Working Time Survey, which is a representative panel study of employees in Germany. For each respondent, two waves were used (n ≥ 3052). Difference-in-differences (DiD) models with the transition into informal care with distinctions of different care frequencies as the treatment variables were calculated. To control for selection bias, propensity score matching (PSM) was applied.

RESULTS

Based on the DID models, transitioning into at least occasionally caregiving had a negative effect on occupational self-efficacy, leading to a significant deterioration in composure in the face of occupational difficulties, ideas for solving problems at work and the ability to cope with most occupational demands. The results based on PSM supported these findings.

CONCLUSION

With respect to, e.g., skilled labor shortages and challenges for welfare systems, sustaining employees' working ability including occupational self-efficacy is of utmost relevance in ageing societies.