Caregiver burden and decision fatigue impact women

Women acting as ‘sandwich mothers’—simultaneously caring for children and aging parents—face a significant double burden that can lead to exhaustion, guilt, and a lack of personal time. This role involves managing physical tasks, medical appointments, and school logistics alongside professional responsibilities, often resulting in permanent emotional pressure.

Psychologist Andrés Montero Conde notes that while caregiving can bring satisfaction, it frequently causes frustration and the feeling of not being sufficient for anyone. This is compounded by ‘decision fatigue,’ a state where the cognitive resources required to make constant choices are depleted. Psychiatrist Marian Rojas Estapé explains that every choice consumes cognitive energy, making even simple decisions difficult after a day of managing others' needs.

Experts also highlight the impact of ‘mental load,’ which refers to the constant cognitive effort of anticipating and organizing household and family needs. This continuous state of alertness can lead to severe psychological weariness.