An analysis of the activities shared between grandfathers and grandchildren.

Abstract

Given the lack of knowledge around the family role of grandfatherhood, a study was conducted about the activities shared between a group of grandparents with their grandchildren, before and during the Covid-19 lockdown. This study of 110 grandfathers (mean age 73.6) included participants’ sociodemographic profile; their satisfaction with five different types of activities shared with their grandchildren, both on their own and with their spouses; and their general views of the grandparenting role. Data were analyzed using descriptive and non-parametric inferential methods (Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, chi square, and correlations). Data showed that participants, who were mostly married and retired, showed three satisfaction levels with their grandchildren: high for family celebrations, average for activities involving play and sociocultural transmission, and low for housework and academic/intellectual activities. Participants’ age, marital status, health status, and education, as well as the age and number of grandchildren, were associated with these satisfaction levels. Most participants favored the formal grandparenting role, and marital status, health status, education, and grandchildren’s age and sex were associated with their views of grandparenting roles. Physical contact during the Covid-19 lockdown dropped by 72.7%. We concluded that activities shared between grandfathers and grandchildren and views on the grandparenting role are influenced by the sociodemographic variables of both. These results need to be expanded with more research.