Welcome to the information page for Part 2 of the research study ‘Care@Campus – Support for students with family responsibilities’.

In this part of the study, we are conducting biographically-oriented interviews with students and people who have completed their studies in recent years. We would like to find out how young people experience the responsibility of caring for a family member or a close relative – particularly during the transition from school to university and whilst at university.

What will the interview be about?

Perhaps you support a parent, sibling, grandparent or another close relative – for example, by accompanying them, looking after them, organising things for them, helping with household chores, supervising them, talking to them or providing care.

Even if you wouldn’t describe your role as ‘caregiving’ yourself, your experiences are important for the study.

In the interview, we would like to discuss the following with you, amongst other things:

• how your role in providing support came about and how it has changed over time,
• what impact this responsibility has had on your educational journey,
• how you experienced the transition from school to university,
• how you manage to balance your studies with family responsibilities,
• what support was helpful or what was lacking.

You decide for yourself at any time what you would like to share.

Who can take part?

We are looking for people

• who are currently studying or have completed their studies in recent years,
• who are taking on or have taken on responsibility for a family member or a close relative with an illness, disability, impairment or care needs,
• whose responsibilities involve, for example, care, companionship, support, organisation or assistance with day-to-day life,
• whose responsibilities began during the transition from school to university.
• A recognised care level is not a prerequisite for participation.

How the interview works

• The interview takes place online or by telephone.
• We will arrange an appointment to suit your availability.
• The interview will last no longer than two hours.
• With your express consent, the interview will be recorded as an audio file.
• The conversation will then be transcribed and the audio recording deleted.
• The interview data will be anonymised during transcription or processed in such a way that you cannot be identified in the research findings.
• Your participation is voluntary. You may choose not to answer individual questions or end the interview at any time without giving a reason.

Interested or have any questions?

Would you like to take part in the interview study (Part 2) or find out more first, with no obligation?

Please send an informal email to: – your contact person is Anna-Maria Spittel.

The questionnaire survey is another part of the overall Care@campus project.