The Double-Burden Effect: Does the Combination of Informal Care and Work Cause Adverse Health Outcomes Among Females in China?

Objective: This study investigates the impact of informal care and work stress on women’s health and further disentangles this effect through intensity and channel analysis. Method: This research uses the 2000–2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey and employs the propensity score matching model with fixed effects. Results: The care and work burden significantly increases the probability of women suffering from chronic diseases, being underweight or overweight, and self-reporting poor health by 0.63%, 1.69%, and 2.35%, respectively. This double-burden effect is exacerbated as the care and work hours increase. Women who care for more than 20 hr and work for more than 50 hr per week experience the most serious health decline. We further find that the double burden leads to health deterioration through channels of reduced exercise and increased psychological stress. Discussion: This study provides a reliable decision-making basis for policy makers to formulate strategies for informal caregivers in China.