FEYLYN MERCEDIES LEWIS, PHD

Young Caregiver Researcher. Speaker. Writer. Advocate.

ABOUT DR. FEYLYN LEWIS

I conduct international research with children and young adults who provide care for sick or disabled family members and friends. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, I have cared for my disabled mother since I was 11 years old. This experience led me to research lives of young caregivers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. While continuing to build impact through research, I remain committed to raising the profile of young caregivers through blog writing, podcasts, and speaking engagements around the world.

eec4a69d-c229-4159-8e57-428edb737606 cop

MY RESEARCH

A Snapshot of My Work

ME-WE: PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT FOR PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AMONG ADOLESCENT YOUNG CARERS IN EUROPE

I led the United Kingdom team for a 39 month research project designed to strengthen the resilience of adolescent young carers, improve their mental health and well-being, and mitigate the negative influences of psychosocial and environmental factors. The project developed an innovative framework of primary prevention interventions tested and adapted in six European countries: Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Visit our project website

YOUNG CARERS AIMING HIGH: YOUNG ADULT CARERS ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Screen%20Shot%202021-06-10%20at%2011.49_edited.jpg

I served as the education research leader of a mixed methods research project jointly conducted with the Carers Centre of Brighton and Hove on the barriers to higher education for young carers.

Read our report

“WHO AM I?”: AN EXPLORATION OF THE IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG ADULT CARERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND UNITED STATES

My doctoral research at the University of Birmingham focused on the identity development of young adult caregivers living in the United Kingdom and United States; it is the only UK-USA comparative research project involving young caregivers to date.

Download a copy of my dissertation