Introduction : Young carers (YC) are children, adolescents or young adults who provide regular and significant support to an ill or disabled relative. The repercussions of this role are numerous, particularly in terms of the emotional distress experienced by these young people. Previous studies have shows that YCs who receive adequate support and recognition for their caring role tend to experience more positive outcomes. The development of these emotional regulation strategies is thought to be partly shaped by parental relationships and family communication. This study aims to clarify these relationships and identify the processes by which these factors influence the emotional well-being of young people who provide care.


Method: To date, 571 adolescents and young adults have completed a survey exploring various aspects of their lives, including socio-demographic and health information, social support, family functioning, caring involvement, psychollogical distress, emotion regulation, and recognition as a carer. Among them, 160 participants reported providing regular assistance and were identified as young carers.


Results: Young carers reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress compared to their non-carer peers. Family dynamics, particularly cohesion, appear to play a fundamental role. Both, intra- and interpersonal recognition also seem to influence the level of distress experienced by young carers.


Discussion: Although preliminary, these findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying emotional distress among young carers. They highlight the importance of considering family-level factors and recognition processes to better understand and support this still largely invisible population.