Informal caregiving roles are predominantly assumed by women, who often experience unique challenges related to physical, emotional, and social stress due to entrenched gender disparities. Within this context, the use of technologies to assist in caregiving tasks has become popular, and some evidence about their impact on caregiver well-being is available. However, significant research gaps persist.
This scoping review was intended to assess the extent of literature examining the impact of technology use by informal female caregivers on their quality of life, to characterize existing research gaps, and to identify available evidence regarding gender-specific challenges.
A total of 14 studies were included in the review, highlighting a range of technologies such as health monitoring devices, communication platforms, and assistive aids. The review identified improvements in caregiver well-being related to reduced physical burden, enhanced emotional support, and increased social connectivity. However, significant research gaps were noted, particularly regarding the long-term effects of technology use, differences based on socio-economic contexts, and the limited inclusion of gender-specific analyses.
