[The "sandwich generation" in Switzerland : a better understanding of factors linked with perceived health for health promotion].
The so-called < Sandwich Generation > (SG) is characterized by concurrent and competing professional, familial, and informal caregiving workloads. These stressors pose potential health risks. However, the current knowledge about SG characteristics and perceived state of health are insufficient to allow occupational health nurses to develop evidence-based interventions designed for health promotion. We aimed to describe this population and examine the relationships between these coexisting workloads and their perceived health. This study is based on a descriptive, correlational design. Employees of a Swiss public administration completed an electronic questionnaire. Of 844 respondents, 23 % are SG members. Ages of frailed parents or parents-in-law, co-residence with the latters, children still living at home predict that employees could be members of the SG. Perceived physical health status of SG members is rated better than mental health status. The heterogeneity of SG is reflected in three clusters. Finally, physical health score is the only that differs from the other health scores adjusting for clusters and sex. This study provides a foundation for developing preventive interventions targeting the SG.
Institut Universitaire de Formation et de Recherche en Soins, Universite de Lausanne, Lausanne, Suisse. a.oulevey@ecolelasource.ch
Bachmann Annie
BA
Oulevey
Statisticien, Docteur ème cycle, charge de mission à la Direction scientifique de I'INRS, Nancy, France.
Pascal
P
Wild
Médecine et Santé au Travail, Directeur de I'Unité santé et sécurité au travail, Ville de Lausanne, Lausanne, Suisse.
Urs
U
Von Rotz
I'lnstitut universitaire romand de Sante au Travail, Universites de Lausanne et de Geneve, Lausanne, Suisse
Brigitta
B
Danuser
L'Institut Universtaire de Formation et de Recherche en Soins, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Suisse.
Diane
D
Morin
D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013557:Switzerland