Grandparents' roles and psychological well-being in the elderly: a correlational study in families with an autistic child

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the family roles and psychological well-being of grandparents who are caregivers of grandchildren with autism spectrum disorders. The study used quantitative methods with a correlational design. A self-administered questionnaire was used as an instrument to measure the variables of psychological wellbeing and the grandparenting role. This research involved 108 grandparents from Semarang, Jepara and Kendal, obtained through a quota-purposive sampling technique. Quantitative data analysis was based on simple regression analysis. The study results showed rxy= 0.397; P = .000 (P < .05), which indicates a positive and significant correlation between the role played by grandparents and their psychological well-being. The test results indicate a significant correlation between the roles of grandparents and their psychological well-being. The greater the role played by grandparents, the higher psychological well-being they experienced, and vice versa. Grandparents play an important role in families where there is a child with autism; they take care of the child when the parents are not at home, help with the cost of therapy, and take care of them when sick.