Concomitant Care: Women’s Dual Caregiving for Ageing Parents and Dependent Children in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Ekot; M. O.; Nkan; V.V.

doi:10.56201/ijssmr.vol.12no10.2026.pg602.614

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Concomitant Care: Women’s Dual Caregiving for Ageing Parents and Dependent Children in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Ekot, M. O. and Nkan, V.V.

Abstract

Many women, at certain stages of their life cycle, occupy multiple caregiving roles simultaneously. This study examined the perceptions of women who provide care for co-resident ageing parents, while simultaneously caring for dependent children, the factors that predict their involvement in this practice, and its impact on family relationships and wellbeing. Two research questions and four hypotheses guided the study. A survey research design was adopted. The population comprised women aged 35 years and above. A multi-stage sampling technique was used, and 372 respondents who met the inclusion criteria formed the final sample. Data were collected using a self-developed and validated structured questionnaire and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that 52% of the respondents, in addition to caring for their dependent children, were sole primary caregivers for co-resident ageing parents, while only 42% received financial and emotional support from siblings. Factors influencing women’s involvement in concomitant care, in order of importance, were: socio-cultural norms/values, religious/spiritual beliefs, love/emotional attachment, filial obligation norms, gender ideology/roles, and reciprocity. Challenges associated with concomitant caregiving included physical stress, space constraints, financial burden, spousal conflicts, work-role conflict, loss of independence, and self-neglect. Hypotheses testing revealed that income level did not significantly predict involvement in concomitant care, whereas educational level, marital status, and employment status were significantly related. The study concludes that elder care in Akwa Ibom State occurs largely within the family, and is predominantly undertaken by women alongside childcare responsibilities, irrespective of their income, educational, marital, or employment status. Given the current economic realities in Nigeria, the quality of care for the elderly may be compromised as women prioritize care for their children. It was recommended that women engaged in concomitant caregiving should avoid self-neglect and adopt healthy lifestyle practices including good nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate rest, while government should provide social security for the elderly to cushion the financial burden of concomitant care. *Keywords: * Concomitant care, caregivers, ageing parents, dependent children, wellbeing, Akwa Ibom State.

Keywords

* Concomitant carecaregiversageing parentsdependent childrenwellbeingAkwa Ibom State.

References

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Concomitant Care: Women’s Dual Caregiving for Ageing Parents and Dependent Children in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

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