HOW CARE IS NEGOTIATED BETWEEN A YOUNG CARER AND A PARENT EXPERIENCING MENTAL ILLNESS AND ADDICTION

Abstract

This study explores the negotiation of care between a young carer and her parent experiencing mental illness and addiction. The bulk of research on young carers explores children’s caring work and the associated risks for carrying out caring work. Usually overlooked are the highly complex relationships between disabled or ill parents and their children who care for them. Using contextual action theory to frame this case study, we examine how a young carer and her mother negotiated care across a period of several months.

Keywords

• young carer
• caring work
• disability
• parent–adolescent relationship
• negotiation