A study examined daily time-use patterns among family caregivers in Japan and their relationship with mental health. Researchers analyzed data from 1,557 participants between 2017 and 2020, identifying four distinct types of caregivers: full-time workers with minimal care responsibilities, marginal caregivers balancing part-time work and light care, dual caregivers managing childcare and long-term care, and intensive caregivers providing high-intensity personal care.

Most full-time caregivers were employed men caring for their parents, while the other groups were primarily female, with the intensive caregivers being single women caring for individuals with severe needs. Despite similar household living standards across groups, the findings revealed that marginal and intensive caregivers faced higher psychological distress compared to full-time workers. Interestingly, intensive caregivers also reported greater subjective well-being.

The study emphasizes the need to recognize the varied time-use patterns of caregivers and to tailor support measures accordingly. It suggests that policies should take cultural values into account, especially in societies where intensive caregiving is common, and highlights the importance of prioritizing caregiver support amid the dual experiences of distress and fulfillment.