Grandparent-grandchild Relationship Research Articles

How young adults view older people: Exploring the pathways of constructing a group image after participation in an intergenerational programme

In recent years, a multitude of intergenerational contact programmes and interventions has emerged to counteract ageism among young adults. Research on these programmes and its supposed effect on ageism often start from the assumption that intergenerational contact follows a largely linear process in which a high level of encounters, in the right setting, decreases ageism and negative stereotyping. The purpose of this article is to critically examine this assumption by focussing on the underlying process of intergenerational contact, rather than examining the positive or negative outcome. Using in-depth interviews with 35 young adults, we found that although conditions and mediating factors during the contact do play a role in the outcome of intergroup contact, the process of contact is rather varied and does not follow a linear path. The results reveal that whether or not a positive contact experience translates into a changed group image of older people is related to the positioning of such experience within the young adults' personal frame of reference. We found that this has to do with the young adults having diverse and both positive and negative previous experiences, their grandparent-grandchild relationship, stories from others and personal characteristics. With this study, we point to the complexity of intergenerational contact and highlight potential pathways leading to varying group images of ‘the old’.

Social engagement technologies and their use among grandparents and adult grandchildren

Abstract The quality of close family relationships can affect the health and well-being of older adults. Further, research suggests that relationships between grandparents and adult grandchildren can have a positive impact on the lives of each generation, particularly regarding social and emotional support. Social engagement technologies may provide new opportunities for older adults to foster and maintain family relationships, including those between grandparents and adult grandchildren. The current cross-sectional study examined associations between the use of social engagement technologies and health and well-being outcomes in 177 younger adults (M = 26.67, SD = 7.83; 81.4% female) and 202 older adults (M = 71.09, SD = 8.17; 77.8% female). Social technology use was assessed through five mediums that are used to enhance social connectivity (e.g., e-mail, social network sites, online video or phone calls, instant messaging, and smartphones). Higher use of social engagement technologies was associated with better self-rated health, subjective well-being, and social support among younger and older adults. Interestingly, social technology use was associated with less depressive symptoms only for older adults (r=-.26, p<.05). There was, however, no correlation between social technology use and loneliness at the bivariate level. Of all five media, only smartphone use was correlated with more positive evaluations of the grandparent-grandchild relationship. After controlling for age, both grandparent-grandchild relationship quality and social technology use were associated with better self-rated health, subjective well-being, and social support for grandparents and adult grandchildren. Key messages Taken together, these findings indicate the need for a nuanced perspective on the benefits of social engagement technologies. More research is needed to explore the use case for social engagement technologies among older adults and their family members.

Effects of Sharing Old Pictures With Grandchildren on Intergenerational Relationships: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundIntergenerational relationships are beneficial for both grandparents and grandchildren. A positive grandparent-grandchild relationship can improve the psychological well-being of older adults and be a source of social support, family history, and identity development. Maintaining meaningful interactions can be, however, a challenging endeavor, especially as life events lead to relocating geographically. Grandparents and grandchildren can have different preferences in terms of communication mediums and different assumptions about the real conversational needs of the other.ObjectiveIn this study, we will investigate the feasibility and effect of sharing memories of older adults with their grandchildren in social media. This intervention focuses on bringing snippets of the lives of the grandparents into the grandchildren’s social media feed and analyzing the potential effect on relational quality, relational investment, and conversational resources from the perspective of the grandchildren.MethodsA randomized controlled trial will be used to measure the effectiveness of sharing family memories through social media on intergenerational relationships from the perspective of the grandchildren. The study will be implemented in Mongolia among 60 grandparent-grandchild pairs who will be assigned to either a control or intervention group. Pictures and stories will be collected during reminiscence sessions between the researchers and the grandparents before the intervention. During an intervention period of 2 months, grandchildren in the intervention group will receive pictures and stories of their grandparents on their social media account. Pre- and postintervention questionnaires will measure relationship quality, relationship investment, and conversational resources and will be used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.ResultsWe conducted a pretest pilot from January to April 2018 among 6 pairs of participants (6 grandparents and 6 grandchildren). The validation of the protocol was focused on the process, instruments, and technological setup. We continued the study after the validation, and 59 pairs of participants (59 grandparents and 59 grandchildren) have been recruited. The data collection was completed in November 2019.ConclusionsThe results of this study will contribute to strategies to stimulate social interactions in intergenerational pairs. A validation of the study process is also presented to provide further operational recommendations. The lessons learned during the validation of the protocol are discussed with recommendations and implications for the recruitment, reminiscence sessions, technological setup, and administration of instruments.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/16315

Relational maintenance and caregiving in the grandparent-grandchild relationship

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between grandparents’ use of relational maintenance behaviors (RMB) and their young adult grandchildren’s willingness to serve as future caregivers for their grandparents. Undergraduate students (N = 209) completed a questionnaire in which they reported on a specific grandparent’s use of RMB and how willing they were to serve as future caregivers for that specific grandparent. Results of a multiple regression analysis provided partial support for the hypothesized positive relationships between grandparents’ use of RMB and grandchildren’s willingness to serve as future caregivers for their grandparents.

REFRAMING INTERGENERATIONAL FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH THE STUDY OF GRANDPARENT-GRANDCHILD CONNECTIONS

Intergenerational relationships include non-familial and familial connections. Common familial bonds exist between grandparents and grandchildren. Although grandparent-grandchild connections have over 40 years of research, measurement and design gaps remain. With this paper, we will address new approaches to examining grandparent and grandchild relationships in an effort to understand how this connection impacts our attitudes on aging. Specifically, we will discuss the opportunities of approaching such relationships from a longitudinal perspective. The grandparent-grandchild relationship can span close to 30 years, and yet knowledge of relationship stability and change between individuals in these family roles is limited. We will highlight the conference theme by presenting how social network analysis (SNA) applied to empirical data of grandparents raising grandchildren can reframe aging’s network ties. Further, future research using SNA with grandchildren will be addressed as a way to build on previous work, extending our knowledge of intergenerational relationships from the family perspective.

Connecting Older Adults and Their Families through Social Technology

Abstract Background Older adults often face problems with social isolation, which is a risk factor for poorer mental and physical health. New forms of social technologies (e.g., WhatsApp) provide opportunities to facilitate social connectedness with family members. Understanding older adults’ behaviors and perceptions related to digital communication tools can inform the development of interventions to increase the adoption of these tools for social communication. This study aims to evaluate attitudes and barriers to as well as facilitators of social technology reported by grandparents and grandchildren. The secondary aim is to examine the associations between social technology use and health and well-being outcomes and to identify what factors mediate the use of social technology. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 144 grandchildren (Mage=26.53, SD = 9.17; 81.9% female) were recruited through student mailing lists. Grandparents were invited either through their grandchild or by the research team and recruitment is expected to be completed by September 2019. Three main groups of variables were examined: health and well-being outcomes, social support related outcomes and social technology related outcomes. Results & Conclusions Grandchildren reported very positive attitudes toward social technology as expected. Greater social technology use was associated with better psychological (r =.26, p =.002) and subjective well-being (rs =.20, p =.023), higher psychosocial flourishing (r =.41, p <.001), social support (rs =.22, p =.009) and social connectedness (r =.39, p <.001). Social technology use was not correlated with health, the grandparent-grandchild relationship, loneliness and depression at the bivariate level. Barriers to social technology are security concerns, threat to privacy and constant availability. Facilitators include increased contact, dealing with geographic boundaries and information seeking. Results from grandparents will also be presented. Key messages Social technology has potential to enhance older adults’ lives by facilitating better family relationships, building social support, reducing loneliness and through this improve health and well-being. More research is needed in this area to understand benefits or potential harms and dynamics between younger family members and older adults in use of social technology.

Treats are a tool of the trade: an exploration of food treats among grandparents who provide informal childcare.

Globally, grandparents are the main informal childcare providers with one-quarter of children aged ≤5 years regularly cared for by grandparents in Australia, the UK and USA. Research is conflicting; many studies claim grandparents provide excessive amounts of discretionary foods (e.g. high in fat/sugar/sodium) while others suggest grandparents can positively influence children's diet behaviours. The present study aimed to explore the meaning and role of food treats among grandparents who provide regular informal care of young grandchildren. Qualitative methodology utilising a grounded theory approach. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and focus groups, then thematically analysed. Participants were recruited through libraries, churches and playgroups in South Australia. Grandparents (n 12) caring for grandchild/ren aged 1-5 years for 10 h/week or more. Three themes emerged: (i) the functional role of treats (e.g. to reward good behaviour); (ii) grandparent role, responsibility and identity (e.g. the belief that grandparent and parent roles differ); and (iii) the rules regarding food treats (e.g. negotiating differences between own and parental rules). Grandparents favoured core-food over discretionary-food treats. They considered the risks (e.g. dental caries) and rewards (e.g. pleasure) of food treats and balanced their wishes with those of their grandchildren and parents. Food treats play an important role in the grandparent-grandchild relationship and are used judiciously by grandparents to differentiate their identity and relationship from parents and other family members. This research offers an alternative narrative to the dominant discourse regarding grandparents spoiling grandchildren with excessive amounts of discretionary foods.

Adult grandchildren’s perspectives on the grandparent-grandchild relationship from childhood to adulthood

ABSTRACTThe relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is usually quite close and satisfying, rather than conflictual, and is considered positive and important by both generations. The present study explores the nature of the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren in the United Kingdom. The aim of the study is to investigate adult grandchildren’s perspectives on the grandparent-grandchild relationship and its transition from childhood to adulthood. Using a Grounded Theory approach 10 young adults, aged 20–24, were interviewed about the relationship with their grandparents. Results showed that adult grandchildren perceive the relationship to continue from childhood to adulthood and to transition in terms of support, contact, attitude, and emotion. Support in childhood was reported as being more practical such as caregiving or help with education, whereas in adulthood as being more emotional. Contact was shown to be reduced from more frequent and face to face in childhood to less frequent and more telephone or internet based in adulthood. As to attitude and emotion participants reported a change in how they felt towards their grandparents from childhood to adulthood, with feelings of excitement being replaced with appreciation and respect. Implications of these transitions within grandparent-grandchild relationships are discussed.

Grandparents - Grandchildren Relationship in Iran, 2017.

Introduction:With the continuing growth of aged populations, it is imperative to find ways to maintain and improve the quality of life in old age. It has been documented that grandparents-grandchildren relationship is significantly contributed to quality of life of older adults. This study was conducted to identify the status and associated factors of grandparents-grandchildren relationship in a sample of Iran.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 377 community dwelling older adults 60 years and over living in Kashan, Iran. A multistage proportional random sampling technique was applied to obtain the sample. The grandparent -grandchildren relationship was measured by a researcher-developed 16-item scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 and AMOS 23.Results:The mean age of the respondents was 70.42(SD = 8.20) years. About 62% of the respondents were female and 60.7% were married. The average score of grandparents-grandchild relationship was 67.60(SD = 12.47). The multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant model (F (11, 365) = 19.05, P < 0.001), where information communication technology of grandparents, geographical distance between grandparents and grandchildren, and the quality of relationship between grandparents and parents of grandchildren were the most important predictors of the grandparents-grandchildren relationship.Conclusion:The findings from the current study showed that status of grandparents-grandchildren relationship is moderate to high and influenced by some factors. It is, therefore, suggested that policymakers pay more attention to strengthening grandparent-grandchild relationship by providing educational programs for families and encouraging the elderly to learn and use information communication technology.

THE BENEFITS OF GRANDPARENTING WHEN GRANDPARENTS OR GRANDCHILDREN ARE NOT AVAILABLE

Grandparent-grandchild relationships can contribute to individual development and relational health. However, these relationships are not always available to the youth and elders who might join them. Families emigrating from other countries may leave grandparents behind and have limited opportunity for exchange of cultural traditions, for example. Even when a grandparent-grandchild relationship exists, the relationship quality may be poor, denying members the chance to benefit from familial intergenerational contact. For these and other reasons, the potential benefits of non-familial intergenerational relationships should be considered. The current presentation addresses address non-familial intergenerational relationships that allow youth and elders to experience grandparent-like relationships when grandparents or grandchildren may not be available to each other, giving consideration to contemporary demographic, structural, and historical influences affecting availability of familial intergenerational relationships, theories addressing the imperative of intergenerational relationships, and evidence of the impact of non-familial intergenerational contact on youth and on elders.

The Role of Grandparents in Shaping Faith Formation of Grandchildren: A Case Study

Research has long suggested that the relationship between a grandparent and grandchild is one of the most critical and important relationships one will ever experience. Because of the importance of the grandparent-grandchild relationship, this article seeks to find how grandparents shape the faith formation of their grandchild, particularly looking at whether or not geographic proximity is a factor in their faith formation. We will begin by defining our problem statement and introductory thoughts, then move into a literature review synthesizing the findings from various research, articles, books, and publications that describe how grandparents shape the faith formation of their grandchild. Finally, we will examine the data analysis and results of our research before offering practical conclusions for grandparents and the church.

Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship and Older Adults’ Life Satisfaction

Background and Aim: Aging population is increasing progressively. Therefore, determining factors behind their life satisfaction is among research priorities. The present study aimed to evaluate the correlation of grandparent-grandchild relationship and older adults’ life satisfaction. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-correlational study was done on 377 older adults who were 60 years of age or older and lived in Kashan, Iran. Participants were selected via multistage sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire was used for the assessment of grandparent-grandchild relationship and life satisfaction. Collected data were entered into the SPSS software (v. 23.0) and analyzed by running the Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: Participants aged 70.24 ± 8.20, on average, and were mostly female (62%). The mean scores of the association, emotional, and functional attachment dimensions of grandparent-grandchild relationship were 56.81 ± 13.18, 77.75 ± 16.64, and 68.22 ± 15.71, respectively. Moreover, the mean of life satisfaction was 81.40 ± 17.01. Life satisfaction was positively correlated with the association, emotional, and functional attachments (r = 0.31, 0.41, 0.35, respectively; P < 0.001). Moreover, regression analysis illustrated that the emotional and functional attachments significantly predicted 20% of the total variance of life satisfaction (P < 0.001). The strongest predictor of life satisfaction was emotional attachment. Conclusions: Grandparent-grandchild relationship can significantly improve older adults’ life satisfaction. Therefore, strategies are needed to strengthen this relationship.

Affectionate Communication Is Associated With Emotional and Relational Resources in the Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship

ABSTRACTGrounded in affection exchange theory (AET; Floyd, 2006), this study examined the extent to which affection received from grandparents is associated with grandchildren’s perceptions of their grandparents and their grandparent-grandchild relationship (in the form of emotional closeness, shared family identity, and perceived availability of social support). Young adult grandchildren (N = 171) completed several instruments in reference to their relationship with a specific grandparent. The results of multiple regression analyses generally supported the hypotheses that received affection is associated positively with grandchildren’s perceptions of their grandparents and their grandparent-grandchild relationship. These findings support AET’s utility in the grandparent-grandchild relationship and the notion that grandparents often influence their grandchildren’s perceptions of their family.

Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship Effects on Grandparents’ General Health and Grandchildren’s Self-esteem

Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship Effects on Grandparents’ General Health and Grandchildren’s Self-esteem

The Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship and Its Effects on the Development of Young Children s Social Competence

Objective: Grandparenting is a widespread phenomenon in Mainland China. In the present study, we examined the grandparents-grandchildren relationship and its influences on preschool children’s social competence. Methods: One hundred and ninety-nine elder adults who live together with their young grandchildren completed Grandparents-grandchildren Relationship Scale with demographic information. The children’s social competence were reported by their teachers. Results: Correlation analyses showed that all dimensions of grandparents-grandchildren relationship were significant correlated with young children’s social competence. Regression analyses some significant effects of some dimensions of the relationship of grandparents-grandchildren on children’s social competence (intimacy, β=6.137, SE=1.170, p<0.01; direction-sharing, β=4.631, SE=0.802, p<0.01; avoidance, β=-1.370, SE=0.662, p=0.04, and conflict-restriction, β=-5.176, SE=0.475, p<0.01). Conclusion: We can evaluate the relationship of grandparents-grandchildren from 6 dimensions and this relationship could predict the children’s social competence: the level of intimacy and direction-sharing could positively predict the children’s social competence while the level of avoidance and conflict-restriction negatively predict the children’s social competence. Therefore, to enhance children’s social competence, we should do something to increase the grandparents-grandchildren’s intimacy and direction-sharing, and decrease the avoidant and conflict-restrict relation between the two generations.

Sisters’ Self-Recognition Represented in Family Relationship: in Beth Henley’s Crimes of the Heart

Beth Henley’s Crimes of the Heart is a feminist drama that represents the self-recognition of sisters in family relationships. In this play, sisters attempt to free themselves from their subordinate status in the patriarchal society. In this process, it portrays men as negative figures. They gave violence, oppression, pain, and sadness to sisters; however, it goes without saying that there are exceptions. This process of self-recognition represents a grandparent-grandchildren relationship, parent-children relationship, and sisters-relationship. Their grandparent-grandchild relationship is not portrayed as ideal in the play. The parent-child relationship is very important, but has troubles. Their father deserted his family, causing the mother of the three sisters to commit suicide. The sisters are unable to hold healthy relationships with boyfriends. The parents, generally, have an important role in aiding their daughters to find their “self,” but these sisters’ parents were unable to do it. The relationship among sisters plays a positive role in each of their self-recognition. They come to attain self-recognition by sisterhood. The three sisters become an independent and positive self through the process of self-recognition.

Grandparental Involvement and South African Adolescents’ Psychological Well-Being

This study was designed to explore the grandparent-grandchild relationship from the perspective of South African adolescents, and to investigate whether grandparental involvement is independently associated with adolescents’ psychological well-being. Data were collected from 204 adolescents (mean age = 13.69) using a school-based survey. Results revealed high levels of contact between grandparents and grandchildren, although involvement varied depending on grandparent, grandchild, and family characteristics. Grandparental involvement was significantly associated with more adolescent prosocial behavior, independent of parental involvement. The findings suggest a unique association between grandparental involvement and prosocial behavior that is robust across different cultural contexts.

Actividades conjuntas e imágenes de la relación abuelos-nietos vista por los nietos: una perspectiva intercultural

In this work we analyze grandparent-grandchild relationship as a support and as an educational and value system, the joint activities and the image grandchildren have about the relationship from an intercultural perspective. Samples from different cities of Central America (San Salvador, El Salvador and Guatemala City, Guatemala) have been compared with a sample of the Italian population (Fossano, Piedmont, in northern Italy). The aim of this comparison is to analyze the similarities and divergences between the different cultures which have been studied. The total sample consisted of 98 children aged 3 to 6. The results show the strong involvement in the grandparent-grandchild relationship, which has important benefits: bonds of love without conditions, some differences in the family profile between Italian and Hispanic children, as well as the great similarity in the kinds of activities and the image grandchildren have about the relationship.

Trust as a Mediator Between Affection and Relational Maintenance in the Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship

The purpose of this study was to test a mediated model of affection, trust, and relational maintenance behaviors in the grandparent-grandchild relationship. The participants (N = 227) were young adult (i.e., 18–25 years old) grandchildren who completed a series of instruments in reference to their relationship with a specific grandparent. The results of Pearson correlation and regression analyses provided support for the hypothesized positive relationships among grandchildren's received affection from their grandparents, grandchildren's trust in their grandparents, and grandchildren's use of relational maintenance behaviors with their grandparents. Moreover, nonparametric bootstrap analyses indicated that trust is, in most cases, a partial mediator between grandchildren's received affection from their grandparents and grandchildren's use of relational maintenance behaviors with their grandparents. These findings bolster the argument that trust is a central feature of interpersonal relationships.

Forest Fire As a Shared Intergenerational Experience: Perceived Short-term Impacts on the Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship

Impacted by a forest fire that swept through an American university’s mountain campus were 18 grandparents and 14 grandchildren participating in an intergenerational Elderhostel program. Six weeks after the fire, the grandparents were mailed a questionnaire that included questions about the fire’s short-term impact(s) on their relationships with grandchildren. Almost all of the 13 grandparents who returned completed questionnaires reported that the shared experience of the fire increased the emotional bond with grandchildren. Many grandparents reported that the quality, intensity, and frequency of conversations with grandchildren had increased, especially during the period of time immediately following the fire. Findings from this exploratory study provide tentative support for the observation that grandparents can play critical roles in the lives of grandchildren during times of stress and crisis.