How professional support for young carers benefits from a salutogenic approach

Abstract

Carers (including young carers) experiencing negative outcomes due to their caring role are more likely to report a lower sense of coherence. This article explores young carers’ support needs for support provided by professionals. A total of 20 interviews with young carers and the persons for whom they provide care were analysed by applying Antonovsky’s paradigm of salutogenesis. The dimensions of manageability, comprehensibility and meaningfulness served to categorise the data. The findings show various needs for support within all three dimensions of the sense of coherence. The results outline key support strategies that professionals can use to build the competencies, confidence and resilience of young carers and their families.