The Overlooked Side of the Experience: Personal Growth and Quality of Life Among Grandparents of Children Who Survived Cancer

Abstract

This study adopted the theoretical framework of Schaefer and Moos (1992) to identify the resources that contributed to the personal growth and quality of life of 56 grandparents of childhood cancer survivors and compare them with 60 grandparents of healthy children. Participants filled out questionnaires addressing sense of coherence, social support, personal growth, and quality of life. A significant difference was found only with regards to personal growth. Hierarchical regressions revealed that health, economic status, higher levels of sense of coherence, and support contributed to quality of life, whereas being a grandparent of a child who survived cancer, lower sense of coherence, support, and past experience of the Holocaust contributed to personal growth. It seems that though they are both positive dimensions, quality of life and personal growth represent different entities in grandparents’ lives. This study sheds light on the experiences and perspectives of grandparents, indicating that alongside the physical and emotional toll taken by their grandchild’s illness, there are also positive implications that can lead to personal growth. Strengthening grandparents could enable families to take advantage of the potential contribution of one of the most committed support providers in the family.