Exploring the well-being of caregivers in public playgrounds : developing the care demands-resources model

Abstract

Families with children frequently utilize public playgrounds for leisure activities. Providing care for children in these spaces can yield emotional satisfaction and strengthen parent‒child relationships. Unlike traditional caregiving, this type of care also offers a leisure experience. However, there is Limited research on caregiving needs, resources, and caregiver well-being in the public playground setting. This study gathered empirical data from 29 interviews with and 224 questionnaires completed by caregivers. Deductive content analysis and structural equation modeling were employed to analyze the data. The findings reveal the care demands (stress and energy consumption) and care resources (such as meaning, achievement, environment, social support, and relationships) that impact caregiver well-being in playground settings. Based on the job demands-resources framework, this study proposes a care demands-resources model. This model verifies the relationships among care demands, care resources, engagement, and well-being. The results also provide valuable insights for design strategies and specific recommendations to improve the caregiving experience. The findings can be applied to other care settings, such as public spaces or family relationships.