Impact of dual caregiving on well-being and loneliness among ever-married women in Japan: A pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic comparison

• The prevalence of dual care managing childcare and elderly care increased from 2019 to 2021 in Japan. • The elderly care-only group experienced lower well-being than the no-care group in 2019 and 2021. • Dual care was associated with lower well-being and higher loneliness only in 2021, following the COVID-19 pandemic. • The study highlights the need for enhanced support for dual caregivers post-pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted people involved in a combination of childcare and elderly care (dual caregivers). As their number is expected to rise in some countries, there remains limited research on the impact of the pandemic on their well-being and loneliness. We utilized repeated cross-sectional data from a large internet survey conducted between 2019 and 2021 to examine the association between informal caregiving status (no care, childcare only, elderly care only, and dual care) and the deterioration of well-being and loneliness among married women aged 20–59. In 2019, the total sample size was 7,357 (60 dual care, 3,630 elderly care only, 3,470 childcare only, and 3,197 no care). In 2021, the sample comprised 6,645 (77 dual care, 3,164 elderly care only, 148 childcare only, and 3,256 no care). In 2019, the adjusted odds ratio (95 % confidence interval [CI]) for lower well-being and higher loneliness in informal caregiving statuses (childcare only, elderly care only, and dual care) compared to no care was 1.38 (1.03–1.86), significant only for elderly care only. In 2021, elderly care only remained significant, with an odds ratio of 1.84 (1.15–2.97), while dual care was associated with lower well-being (1.55 (1.11–2.20) and higher loneliness (2.08 (1.24–3.49). Our study found that dual caregivers experienced greater declines in well-being and increased loneliness following the pandemic than non-caregivers. This highlights the importance of enhancing support for dual caregivers during current and future crises to prevent worsening well-being and loneliness.