P0055 - Prevalence of Youth Caregivers in Florida

Background: Youth caregivers are individuals under the age of 18 who provide significant assistance with activities of daily living and/or instrumental activities of daily living to relatives or household members who suffer from physical or mental illness, disability, frailties of aging, or substance use. In 2005, there were approximately 1.3 million youth caregivers between the ages of 8 and 18 in the US. Research has shown that youth caregivers show poorer academic performance and higher levels of depression, anxiety and social isolation compared to their peers (Siskowski, 2006; Kavanaugh, 2014; Cohen et al, 2012). The current prevalence and characteristics of youth caregivers are unknown; awareness of which could benefit pediatricians in identifying and assisting these youth among their patient populations.

Research Question: In this study, we analyze data from the state Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to 1) estimate the prevalence of youth caregivers and 2) characterize common demographics of youth caregivers.


Methods: The 2019 Florida YRBS was administered to 5,703 and 5,177 public high school and middle school students, respectively. There was one question about youth caregiving: “During an average week, on how many days do you provide care for someone in your family or household who is chronically ill (lasts 3 months or more), elderly, or disabled with activities they would have difficulty doing on their own?”


Results: Results from high schools indicate that 15.04% of students report providing care during the week, with 8.12% providing care on 1-2 days, 3.47% on 3-5 days, and 5.15% on 6 or 7 days per week. Youth providing care were significantly more likely to be male than female (M=0.16 vs M=0.14, t=-2.33, p=.02) and younger compared to older (r=-.03, p=.02). There were no racial differences between caregivers and non-caregivers.

Results from middle schools indicate that 22.23% of students report providing care. 9.81% provide care on 1-2 days, 5.21% on 3-5 days, and 7.20% on 6 or 7 days per week. Youth providing care were more likely to be younger than older (r=-.05, p=.00), and more care was provided by Native American and Hispanic youth compared to white youth (M=.84, M=.45 vs. M=.33, F(3357)=6.37, p=.000). There were no gender differences between caregivers and non-caregivers.


Conclusion: Our estimate of youth caregiving prevalence in Florida found that 15.04% of high schoolers and 22.23% of middle schoolers provide care during the week. Future research should identify the national prevalence of youth caregivers and assess whether they have unique mental and physical health needs.