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Solidarity in the Grandparent-Adult Grandchild Relationship and Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms
Abstract
Purpose of the study:
Grandparent-adult grandchild relationships are becoming longer and more common, and therefore potentially more influential in the lives of individuals. This study examined the influence of solidarity (i.e., affinity, contact, and functional exchange) in the grandparent-adult grandchild relationship upon the depressive symptoms of both members of the dyad.
Design and methods:
The study used data from the Longitudinal Study of Generations, a survey of 3- and 4-generation U.S. families that included 7 waves of data collection between 1985 and 2004. The sample was comprised of 374 grandparents and 356 adult grandchildren. We analyzed the data using multilevel growth curve models.
Results:
For both grandparents and adult grandchildren, greater affinity reduced depressive symptoms and more frequent contact increased symptoms. For grandparents only, receiving functional support without also providing it increased depressive symptoms.
Implications:
The average grandparent-adult grandchild relationship is a source of both support and strain to both generations. These relationships exhibit great diversity, however, with large amounts of variation between dyads and within a single dyad over time. We suggest how policy makers and practitioners can identify the relational contexts that best promote the well-being of members of both generations.
... Since grandparents are living longer (Dunifon, 2013), they may be more likely to count on adult grandchildren to provide support for them (Dellmann-Jenkins et al., 2002;Sciplino & Kinshott, 2019). However, few studies have explored the relationship of grandparents with adult grandchildren (Moorman & Stokes, 2016); furthermore, scarce qualitative studies have analyzed the relationship from the grandparents' perspective (Breheny et al., 2013;Clarke & Roberts, 2004;Mansson, 2016) and the adult grandchild's perspective (Sciplino & Kinshott, 2019). ...
... Seeing each other often (contact exchange) is negatively related to positive expectations toward the future for all members of the family and deepened the perception of generational divides. These findings seem to imply that the quality of the relationship (affinity) is more important over the quantity of time spent together, confirming previous studies (Moorman & Stokes, 2016) that show that frequent contact and cohabitation with grandparents can have negative consequences, as lowering wellbeing (because of conflicts, disagreement, and invasion of privacy) and increasing depressive symptoms (Moorman & Stokes, 2016) in both grandparents and grandchildren. None of the variables of functional exchange had a significant impact on our dependent variables. ...
... Seeing each other often (contact exchange) is negatively related to positive expectations toward the future for all members of the family and deepened the perception of generational divides. These findings seem to imply that the quality of the relationship (affinity) is more important over the quantity of time spent together, confirming previous studies (Moorman & Stokes, 2016) that show that frequent contact and cohabitation with grandparents can have negative consequences, as lowering wellbeing (because of conflicts, disagreement, and invasion of privacy) and increasing depressive symptoms (Moorman & Stokes, 2016) in both grandparents and grandchildren. None of the variables of functional exchange had a significant impact on our dependent variables. ...
Introduction
The remarkable growth of older adults represents a challenge for our societies.
The population of aging requires adjustments that sometimes are difficult to achieve for already stressed welfare systems. In this context, intergenerational solidarity may play a central role. Demographic shifts over the past century have also increased the percentage of grandchildren who, as young adults, have living grandparents. Adult grandchildren could become an important source of intergenerational solidarity, but few studies have explored intergenerational relations, including grandparents, adult children, and adult grandchildren. None to our knowledge have examined which aspects of intergenerational solidarity affect the positive view of elders, positive expectations toward the future, and old-young divides.
Objectives
We aimed to explore three critical dimensions of intergenerational solidarity (affinity, contact, and instrumental exchange) and examine how each component is related to positive views of elders, positive expectations toward the future, and the young elders divide.
Methods
The study was conducted in Italy; it involved 420 participants divided into 140 triads. Semi-structure interviews with elders, adult grandchildren, and parents were used to measure intergenerational solidarity. Each triad was composed of 140 grandparents aged 65 to 92, 140 parents aged 39 to 72, 140 grandchildren aged 17 to 50.
Results
Affinity variables such as perceived similarity, sharing the same micro-culture, and giving importance to grandchild–grandparent relation, promoted a positive view of aging, positive expectations toward the future, and lower perceptions of a young-elders divide in society. The contact variables had mixed effects.
Conclusion
Overall our results highlight that mostly affinity variables promoted a positive view of aging, positive expectations toward the future and reduced the perception of the generational gap.
... Additionally, there is a need for more qualitative and quantitative research to better understand family relationships (Aquilino, 2006), as these relationships can be full of depth and complexity Thomas et al., 2017) and there is large variation within and between families (Kemp, 2007;Scharf, 2016). While the field primarily includes studies with an entirely quantitative approach (e.g., Miguel et al., 2021;Moorman & Stokes, 2016;Wetzel & Hank, 2020), there is a growing number employing solely qualitative methods (e.g., Sciplino & Kinshott, 2019). Adding mixed methods research to the literature on this topic would simultaneously provide deep and wide insights within one, cohesive study that builds on itself. ...
... The relationships described by our emerging adult participants suggest the grandparent-grandchild bond is marked by both challenges and affordances and can be simultaneously strained and supportive, findings in alignment with work on broader family systems (Moorman & Stokes, 2016;Thomas et al., 2017). While grandchildren may have the opportunity to learn and practice both everyday skill development and socialemotional competence throughout their lives within the context of the grandparent-grandchild relationship, several factors highlighted by participants can impede these connections. ...
Though many emerging adults now have the opportunity to engage meaningfully with their grandparents, few studies have examined emerging adults’ perceptions of grandparent relationships and the roles taken on by grandparents and grandchildren. Informed by theories of psychosocial development, intergenerational solidarity, and sociocultural learning, this mixed methods study draws on closed- and open-ended survey items to explore emerging adults’ ( N=52) characterizations of their relationships with grandparents in the United States. Results highlight the roles assumed by grandparents and emerging adult grandchildren often mirror each other, taking on instrumental, relational, and guiding qualities. The relationship itself was often described as a bond that is simultaneously punctuated by obstacles limiting close connections (e.g., geographic distance, challenging family dynamics). These findings suggest grandparent-grandchild relationships, both past and present, hold salience for emerging adults; researchers and practitioners should consider broader family systems when considering grandparent-grandchild relationships and their impact on individual development.
... While an increasing number of grandparents now have the ability to remain an active part of their adult grandchildren's lives (McDarby et al., 2021;Monserud, 2011), research on engagement between young adults and their living grandparents is not well developed. In general, an active, positive grandparent-grandchild relationship is linked to higher well-being for adult grandchildren (Moorman & Stokes, 2016;Sciplino & Kinshott, 2019;Thomas et al., 2017), with grandchildren in early adulthood often placing special value on relationships with their grandparents (Kemp, 2007;Manoogian et al., 2018). Though overall contact decreases during transitional years (Wetzel & Hank, 2020), the relationship can grow more emotionally close, with young adults often feeling a sense of respect and appreciation for their grandparents (Manoogian et al., 2018;Sciplino & Kinshott, 2019). ...
... All participants were conscious of the impact their grandparents have on their values and subsequent decisions regarding careers, life partners, child-rearing, and perspectives on functioning in the world. Despite variation in the structure and substance of grandparent relationships held by participants-a level of diversity that is expected both within and across family systems (Moorman & Stokes, 2016;Stelle et al., 2010)-the acknowledgement of their grandparents' influence was interspersed throughout the interviews. ...
While it is well documented that grandchildren benefit from strong, positive relationships with grandparents, less is known about the influence of these relationships as individuals establish their lives in early adulthood. Further, how this impact varies based on grandparent type (i.e., whether grandparents take on a “traditional” non-caregiving or “custodial” caregiving role) has not been investigated, despite the growing number of youth raised, at least in part, by their grandparents. Using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, this study explores the influence of grandparent type during childhood on life satisfaction, perceived relationship quality, and life building in early adulthood. Descriptive and comparative analyses of survey data captured in the quantitative strand (N = 94) informed the subsample that completed semi-structured interviews in the emphasized qualitative strand (N = 9). The integrated findings revealed that past and present grandparent relationships remain salient in early adulthood, though the context and substance of these relationships is often nuanced with shifts over time and across individuals. Despite the importance of context, we failed to observe significant differences in life satisfaction or perceived relationship quality by grandparent type. Taken together, the findings suggest the substance of the relationship, more so than the structure, may be impactful for individuals building their life and reflecting on their values in early adulthood. In addition to elucidating areas for continued exploration, this work highlights the need for researchers and practitioners to consider variation in family structure when designing research and developing supports to reinforce positive, mutually beneficial grandparent–grandchild relationships.
... Ihara et al. (2012) highlighted that grandsons needed a stronger bond with a grandparent to engage in caregiving than granddaughters, and in general, grandchildren needed stronger bonds with grandparents of the opposite sex to act as their caregivers than with those of the same sex. On a psychological perspective, affectual solidarity to grandparents was found to be associated with fewer depressive symptoms in grandparents and grandchildren (Moorman and Stokes 2016); these benefits emphasize the need of this intergenerational bond for the two generations. American grandchildren feel closer to their grandparents who provide them emotional support (e.g., spending time together, listening to each other, giving advice) (Huo et al. 2018), greater life satisfaction and well-being (Goodman and Silverstein 2001). ...
... Functional solidarity from grandparents was found to be associated with more affectual solidarity as grandparents who supported their grandchildren with disabilities shared more emotional closeness with their children and grandchildren (Schilmoeller and Barnowski 1998). Grandparents who received support from their adult grandchildren without supporting them in exchange reported more frequent depressive symptoms than those who were in an intergenerational relationship without support from their grandchildren (Moorman and Stokes 2016), suggesting the importance of being active in the relationship and the deleterious effects of dependency of the older people, who may feel indebted to their grandchildren without the opportunity of giving support in exchange. ...
Intergenerational interactions and exchange are major components of grandparenting, and the present study sought to examine how the intergenerational solidarity framework has been used to investigate grandparenting practices across the lifespan and in different cultures. This framework is widely used across cultures and provides a basis to discuss the future of grandparenting research, considering cultural intermingling and changes in society. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched three databases (PsycInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science). Finally, 42 empirical studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in this scoping review. They were published between 1991 and 2020 and assessed intergenerational solidarity between grandparents and their grandchildren. Our findings show that research on grandparenting based on the intergenerational solidarity framework has increased in the last 30 years, and that this model provides a comprehensive approach to studying grandparenting across the lifespan in different cultures. The present study identified cross-cultural differences in the prevalence of the types of intergenerational solidarity. Affectual solidarity was shown to be the most studied dimension of intergenerational solidarity in North America, Europe and Israel, while normative solidarity was the most represented in Asian studies. The only Australian study investigated affectual and functional solidarity. This model is thus suitable for studying grandparenting, but further studies are needed to investigate changes in intergenerational solidarity between grandparents and their grandchildren at different stages of development and account for cultural specificities.
... As a result, the significance of the grandparent-grandchild bond has also increased, with a smaller number of grandchildren and grandparents forging strong emotional bonds (Kemp, 2005;Mills et al., 2001). Moreover, the grandparent-grandchild relationship extends beyond midlife or older adults and minor children, and now involves grandchildren who have attained adulthood and even middle age themselves (e.g., Moorman & Stokes, 2016). ...
... A substantial body of research shows that grandparents and adult grandchildren provide each other with emotional, practical, and instrumental support (Goodsell et al., 2011;Huo et al., 2018;Kemp, 2007;Silverstein & Marenco, 2001). Indeed, affectual and instrumental aspects of grandparent-adult grandchild relationships are influential for members of both generations (Moorman & Stokes, 2016). At present, many grandparents share well over two decades of their lives with grandchildren, and many participate actively in their grandchildren's lives (Carr & Utz, 2020;Margolis & Wright, 2017). ...
Objective: This study examined adult grandchildren's experience of losing a grandparent in the context of a multigenerational family.
Background: Although the death of a grandparent in adulthood is often an expected life event, this loss may still result in grief for adult grandchildren. Furthermore, bereavement is not merely an individual experience, but a family one. Characteristics of the relationship between bereaved adult grandchildren and their bereaved middle‐generation parents may influence adult grandchildren's grief responses. This includes both structural (e.g., gender of parent; coresidence with parent) and emotional (e.g., relationship quality; worry about parent) aspects of this tie.
Method: Young adult grandchildren from Wave 2 of the Family Exchanges Study (2013, N = 204) reported on their recent grandparent loss experiences (N = 216) and relationships with their middle‐generation parents (N = 142).
Results: Three‐level multilevel models revealed that (a) grandsons who lost a grandmother reported significantly fewer grief symptoms than all other gender combinations; (b) worry about a middle‐generation parent was associated with higher grief symptoms, but; (c) this effect was significantly stronger when the middle‐generation parent was a mother, and when adult grandchildren were coresident with that bereaved parent. Finally, relationship quality with the middle‐generation parent was not associated with grief symptoms, irrespective of context.
Conclusion: Results highlight the intersection of emotional and structural aspects of multigenerational relationships following the death of a family member.
... Dunifon & Bajracharya, 2012), toonde de meerderheid van die studies aan dat grootouders die een hechte band hebben met hun kleinkinderen een gunstige rol spelen in hun levens (Coall & Hertwig, 2010;Sear & Coall, 2011). Zowel de betrokkenheid van grootouders als de kwaliteit van grootouder-kleinkindrelaties bleken positief gerelateerd aan verschillende uitkomsten bij de kleinkinderen, zoals prosociaal gedrag (Wild & Gaibie, 2014;Yorgason, Padilla-Walker & Jackson, 2011), mentale ontwikkeling (Barnett, Scaramella, Neppl, Ontai & Conger, 2010) en psychologische aanpassing (Griggs, Tan, Buchanan, Attar-Swartz & Flouri, 2010;Moorman & Stokes, 2014). ...
Grandparents are often considered as providing important resources in times of family crisis. Little is known, however, about the influence of grandparents on the well-being of grandchildren after parental divorce. Guided by the family systems theory, this article investigates the association between the quality of relationships with grandparents and grandchildren’s subjective well-being. Using data from the study ‘Divorce in Flanders’, we compare 650 grandchildren with divorced and 276 with married parents regarding three indicators of subjective well-being (life satisfaction, self-esteem and anxiety) and also examine variation within the group with divorced parents. Results show that the strength of grandchild-grandparent relationships is positively associated with grandchildren’s subjective well-being. Compared to children with married parents, having a close relationship with a grandparent is even more related to the well-being of grandchildren whose parents are divorced. Moreover, for grandchildren who experience frequent conflicts between their divorced parents, having a good grandparent relationship is most strongly linked to their well-being.
... Both salutary and health-damaging effects are likely to be driven by grandparental care practices (e.g., Chambers et al., 2021), which have also been proposed as an explanation of the overall adverse impact of grandparents on their grandchildren's cancer risk factors (Chambers et al., 2017). Studies investigating the role of grandparents in grandchildren's psychological well-being found that greater cohesion with grandparents reduced depressive symptoms in adolescent/adult grandchildren, whereas more frequent contact increased symptoms (e.g., Moorman and Stokes, 2016;Ruiz and Silverstein, 2007). Previous research provided no indication, however, of a grandparent effect on grandchildren's self-esteem (Ruiz and Silverstein, 2007) or risky health behaviors (Dunifon and Bajracharya, 2012), but coresidence with a grandparent was found to be associated with an increased risk of child mental health problems (externalizing or internalizing problems) in a European sample (Masfety et al., 2019). ...
A plethora of studies provide evidence of family relationships’ key role in individuals’ well-being across the entire life course and particularly at older ages. When discussing the relationship between health inequalities and family relations, the present chapter thus places a particular emphasis on grandparents and grandchildren. After briefly reviewing the link between adult parent–child relationship qualities and health inequalities (Section 2), we then take the grandparents’ perspective (Section 3) to discuss, first, the effects of grandparenthood (that is, the transition into a new social and family role in later life and the status of being a grandparent) and, second, the effects of active grandparenting (such as the provision of grandchild care) on grandparents’ well-being. We then complement the grandparents’ perspective by assessing research on health inequalities in grandchildren (Section 4). The chapter concludes with policy recommendations and perspectives for future research (Section 5).
... Additionally, scholars have recently examined the association between intergenerational contact between grandparents and adult grandchildren and depressive symptoms. Results indicate that frequent intergenerational contact increased depressive symptoms for both sides [46]. Hence, it is essential for future research to continue to examine constructive versus destructive ways in expressing criticism and their consequences [22]. ...
Guided by the theoretical frameworks of communication accommodation theory and
conflict management, this study examines U.S. older participants’ (65 or older) written conflict
scenario either with a grandchild or a nonfamily young adult. Using content analysis approach,
we analyzed these written conflict scenarios to uncover major conflict initiating factors and conflict
management styles. Results revealed that intergenerational conflict initiated by old-to-young criticism
(more frequently reported in conflicts with nonfamily young adults) or disagreement/generation gap
(more frequently reported in conflicts with grandchildren) was reported most frequently followed
by young-to-old rebuff, cumulative annoyance, and young-to-old criticism. Additionally, results indicated
that older adults used the problem-solving style most frequently when disagreement/generation gap initiated
the conflict, especially in the family contexts; both young and older adults used the competing style
most frequently when old-to-young criticism initiated the conflict, especially in nonfamily contexts.
Furthermore, the use of the competing and problem-solving styles by young adults was significantly
associated with the use of the same styles by older adults and vice versa, indicating both positive and
negative reciprocation in intergenerational conflict. Results in general show that young and older
adults manage intergenerational conflicts in different ways in family versus nonfamily contexts.
... For instance, children from single-parent families exhibit higher levels of depressive symptoms than those from intact families [46]. Moreover, relationships with siblings and grandparents may also have an impact on adolescent depressive symptoms [47,48]. With the implementation of the two-and three-child policy in China over recent years, co-parenting between parents and grandparents has greatly increased. ...
Substantial literature investigating the intergenerational transmission of depressive symptoms has primarily focused on mothers and adolescents, whereas less is known about the potential role of fathers, especially their parenting behaviors. This study aimed to address this gap by examining the mediating role of maternal parenting, and the moderating role of paternal parenting in this intergenerational transmission pathway. A total of 528 Chinese community adolescents (Mage = 12.70 ± 1.49 years; 48.7%, girls) and their mothers participated. After adolescent sex, age, maternal educational levels, and monthly household income were controlled for, both maternal warmth and rejection mediated the association between maternal and adolescent depressive symptoms. More importantly, paternal warmth buffered the adverse effect of maternal depressive symptoms and maternal rejection on adolescent depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the buffering role of paternal parenting in blocking the intergenerational transmission risk of depressive symptoms from mothers to adolescents and emphasize the need for father-focused interventions.
... The theory of intergenerational solidarity has been used to examine the interactions between members of different generations. This includes examining type and nature of exchanges and reciprocity between generations (Roberts et al., 1991); the dynamics of the interactions and relationships based on needs and changing social structures and norms (Moorman & Stokes, 2016;Quadagno, 2002). The theory has been applied to grandparenting and has proved useful in understanding the role of grandparenting in shaping the aging experience (Clarke & Roberts, 2004); the nature of the familial bonds (Kivett, 1991), emotional attachments across generations (Mancini & Blieszner, 1989), the effect of grandparenting on quality of life (Gabriel & Bowling, 2004), and also the challenges and ambivalence of grandparenting (Settersten & Trauten, 2009). ...
Demographic, social, and structural changes are transforming intergenerational relationships and aging experiences in Asia. While multigenerational families have increased and the duration of grandparenting has lengthened, multigenerational households have declined. Grandparents are increasingly embedded in multigenerational support, care, and reciprocal relationships. The paper examines cognitive and affective dimensions of intergenerational solidarity and ambivalence through the lens of grandparenting using qualitative data from the city-state of Singapore. The findings show that grandparents cherish their relationships with their grandchildren. Grandparents phrased their relationships in terms of affection rather than obligation and duties. Also, not co-residing has not weakened the bonds between generations. Another finding is the strong norm among grandparents of not interfering in the lives of their children and grandchildren but being available for them.
... A study performed by da Silva et al. [75] found that intergenerational grandchild/grandparent relationships were characterized by conflicts in terms of conceptions regarding lifestyle and social and cultural values, but also that intergenerational ties of solidarity, support, affection and care could arise. Moorman and Stokes [76] examined the influences of affinity, contact and functional exchange in the grandparent/adult grandchild relationship upon the depressive symptoms of both members of the dyad. Both studies observed positive and negative effects on the wellbeing of older adults, with the grandchild/grandparent affinity being particularly important. ...
Family relationships play a central role in wellbeing among older adults in Chile. Based on the theory of social production functions, this study examined the relationship between perceived social support from children, partners and relatives, family functioning, self-perceived health and quality of life (QoL) among Chilean older adults. The study used a multi-ethnic sample of Chilean older adults living in rural areas in the regions of Arica and Parinacota (north) and Araucanía (south). A model was analyzed that emphasizes relationships differentiated by the source of support, family functioning and self-perceived health in the explanation of QoL. The results obtained from the structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis showed the existence of indirect relationships of social support from children, partners and other family members via family functioning, while self-perceived health was directly associated with QoL. The findings indicate that family functioning is a main variable in the contrasted model, in addition to confirming the importance of distinguishing the role of the various sources of support. Research is needed to examine in detail intergenerational relationships and other relationships with family members who are significant in the wellbeing of older adults. This research corroborates that family relationships have a specificity that needs to be addressed in gerontological social intervention, as well as continuing along the lines of strengthening or improving existing family ties (more quality) over the quantity of social relationships.
... Grandparents thus, feel deprived not only of financial resources but also of family and social support. Most of this older persons, are more vulnerable, in this way, to symptoms of depression and anxiety (Goodman & Silverstein, 2006;Szinovacz, 1998;Rodgers & Jones, 1999;Goldberg-Glen et al., 1998;Musil, 1998;Oburu & Palmerús, 2005;Moorman & Stokes, 2014). ...
This paper seeks to review some of the changes in the grandparent-grandchildren relationship and the new roles that "grandparents" are taking on in the face of these transformations. The literature review suggests that this new grandparenthood seeks new ways of living with their grandchildren, exploring new qualities of life. There is a symmetrization effect and a similar or equal starting point in the exploration of life. Grandchildren explore how to become adults, grandparents explore how to leave behind the decrepit model of old people with which they no longer feel identified or comforted. Both are looking for something on the order of renewal and change and in that sense there is an alliance of growth and change together. The most relevant results indicate that these new roles of older adults are essentially important for understanding the new type of intergenerational mutual protection and how they correlate with the demographic trends emerging in Latin America.
... Gallardo-Peralta et al 31 stated that family networks and social relationships are associated with quality of life in older adults. Previous studies also asserted the support from families, such as spouse or partner, 32 grandchildren, 33 children, 34 and other related families. 31 In line with Suwannarat, Panyasai 35 implemented the effectiveness model participation health promotion to improve QOL for older adults in Thailand; their results revealed that the total QOL scores and subdomain QOL (eg, physical, psychological, social relationships and environment domain) were significantly improved after received intervention following a 12-week. ...
Background:
The evidence of promoting family members' health care for older adults by applying family networks and theory of planned behavior will lead to mental health and lower the quality of life among older adults in rural community in Thailand is unclear.
Objective:
The study aimed to assess the effects of health promotion among older adults using an aging family network program to reduce depression and improve quality of life (QOL) among older adults.
Patients and methods:
This quasi-experimental study was enrolled on one hundred and ten older adults and their family members. Fifty-five older adult participants joined the health promoting program using family member involvement. This program trained them to change health behaviors such as eating healthy food, exercising, emotion management and disability preventive activities to reduce dementia, stroke and falls. The program was conducted in a rural community for 12 months. A comparison group program conducted usual health promoting activities by health personnel. They evaluated quality of life (QOL) using WHOQOL-OLD measurement, and 30-item geriatric depression scale before implementing interventions and after interventions at 9th and 12th months. Data were analyzed using general linear mixed model analysis.
Results:
After the intervention, social support and perception of health care from family members were significantly improved at the 9th month. At the 12th month, overall QOL, sensory ability, social participation, intimacy, social support, and perception of health care from family members significantly improved. Depression was also reduced at the 12th month.
Conclusion:
These findings demonstrated that health promotion using family members improved QOL and reduced depression long term. Policymakers should implement programs to improve QOL among older adults. They need to improve the involvement of family members when conducting health promotion among older adults and support funding due to conduct on weekends or in the evening.
... Second, measures of grandchildren's outcomes are restricted. With some exceptions (e.g., Li et al., 2018;Wise, 2010), prior work has centered on mental health indicators (e.g., Moorman & Stokes, 2016) and underexamined the impact of grandparents' roles on their adult grandchildren's perceived adjustment and well-being. ...
Given the crucial role that grandparents play in the upbringing and well-being of their grandchildren, research regarding the perceived importance of grandparents for their emerging adult grandchildren is of particular relevance. This study examined the relations between perceived grandparents’ roles and family and life satisfaction in Portuguese emerging adults. Participants (N = 387), aged 18–25, completed a structured self-report questionnaire. Findings of structural equation modeling showed that emerging adults’ perceptions of grandparental roles of counselor, enjoying the relationship, and indulgence are positively related to their family and life satisfaction. The mediation analysis showed that family satisfaction mediated the relation between perceptions of grandparents acting as counselors and the life satisfaction of emerging adult grandchildren. Implications of family relationships and grandparenting in the context of emerging adulthood are discussed.
... Importantly, custodial grandparenting has been found to be associated with greater psychological distress (e.g., Hadfield, 2014;Hayslip et al., 2019). Moreover, Moorman and Stokes (2016) showed that more frequent contact with adult grandchildren and the receipt of functional support without also providing it increased grandparents' depressive symptoms. Although adult grandchildren are more likely to receive support from grandparents than to provide it, they might still constitute an important source of help and care in times of need (e.g., Fruhauf et al., 2006;Huo et al., 2018). ...
Grandparenthood constitutes a significant role for older adults and may have important health implications. Our study examines the grandparenthood-mortality nexus, controlling for an array of potentially confounding variables. Longitudinal survey data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used, comprising twelve biennial waves from 1992 to 2014 with linked data on vital status derived from the National Death Index. The sample included 27,463 participants aged ≥51 years with at least one child. Cox proportional hazard models tested the association between grandparenthood and mortality risk with adjustment for socio-demographic variables, for social variables including characteristics of and contact with children, and for health variables, including measures of general, functional and mental health. Grandparenthood overall was unassociated with mortality risk in both women and men. However, the subpopulation of younger, partnered grandmothers with a larger number of grandchildren tended to exhibit a substantial increase in mortality risk as compared to women without grandchildren.
... Young adults would expect their grandparents to express their affection and to be guarantor of the family identity by improving the feeling of sharing the same family identity. In addition, our research points out that affinity reduced depressive symptoms for adult grandchildren (Moorman and Stokes 2016), and improve their shared family identity, as grandparents being considered as "living memory" of the family (Triadó et al. 2005). ...
We investigated the representation grandchildren have of the ideal features associated with the role of grandparents by validating a French version of the Ideal Grandparent Scale (IGS). Two studies were conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the IGS. A sample of 285 young adults (18–25 years old), randomly divided in two subsamples, completed the French Translation of IGS as well as four complementary scales (Grandchildren’s Received Affection Scale, Parental Encouragement Scale, Shared Family Identity Scale, and the CES-D). We tested the factorial, construct and convergent validities as well as the reliability of the IGS. Results coincided with Mansson’s and confirmed the good psychometric qualities of the scale. Getting a better understanding of the qualities associated with the role of grandparents by French grandchildren may provide an overview of the importance of the intergenerational bond.
... Recent studies provide additional support for the intergenerational solidarity model. For example, Moorman and Stokes (2016) for all grandparents, depressive symptoms increased over time and the rate of increase became faster at older ages. However, grandparents in relationships characterized by high solidarity (i.e., high affinity, frequent contact, and reciprocal functional exchange) experienced fewer depressive symptoms throughout the 19-year period than did grandparents in relationships characterized by low solidarity. ...
The unprecedented demographic changes in the United States during the last century, due primarily to increased longevity and low fertility rates, had profound implications for family relations, in particular for grandparent involvement with grandchildren. Grandparenting emerged as a salient family support structure and the grandparent role not only survived, but also became vital for many grandchildren in need of care. Researchers have examined the profile and characteristics of grandparents with particular emphasis on intergenerational relations and the quality of grandparent-parent-grandchild relationships (Hayslip & Kaminski, 2005; Szinovacz, 1998). Furthermore, several proposed conceptual models address intergenerational family relations, grandparents' stress and parenting practices, and the grandparents' influence on developmental outcomes and problem behaviors of their grandchildren (Goodman & Silverstein, 2002). From the beginning, most of the literature on intergenerational relations and grandparenting identified several determinants of the quality of such relations as well as outcomes for both grandparents and grandchildren (Hayslip, Fruhauf, & Dolbin-MacNab, 2017). Not surprisingly among the most studied social determinants, researchers focused on structural conditions (race, socioeconomic status, education, living arrangements, etc.) and cultural contexts (ethnicity, religious beliefs, personal and normative expectations, stereotypes about family, etc.). This chapter reviews the main theoretical perspectives and specific causal models proposed to address important determinants of quality of life, psychosocial outcomes, and well-being among minority and ethnic grandparents. It also examines the empirical evidence in support of such models, and it provides recommendations for training and research-based supportive programs. Since previous research indicates that demographic factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status are significant determinants of becoming custodial grandparents, it is important to clarify variations in grandparent-grandchild relations to expand our understanding
... However, it is the perceptions of availability of resources that can potentially protect individuals from psychological distress by making individuals view the situation as manageable. Visible or objective support that is not desired or is passively received by frail older adults, especially undesired instrumental support, may increase their perceived helplessness, dependency, and loss of control over life (Allen & Wiles, 2014) and, consequently, augment their psychological burden (Bisconti & Bergeman, 1999;Moorman & Stokes, 2016). Only when frail older adults feel loved and cared for, as well as perceive themselves as having ready access to support, do their self-esteem and self-efficacy improve and depression alleviate (Wethington & Kessler, 1986). ...
Background and objectives:
Frailty is associated with depression in older adults, and reduces their social support. However, the mechanism underlying such relationship remains unclear. We aim to examine whether social support acts as a mediator or moderator in the relationship between frailty and depression.
Research design and methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1779 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and over. Frailty, social support and depressive symptoms were measured by the Physical Frailty Phenotype (PFP), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and 5-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-5), respectively. Data were also collected on age, gender, years of schooling, monthly income, cognitive function, number of chronic diseases, physical function, and pain.
Results:
Linear regression models showed that subjective support and support utilization, but not objective support, mediated and moderated the relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms. The Johnson-Neyman technique determined a threshold of 30 for subjective support, but not for support utilization, beyond which the detrimental effect of frailty on depressive symptoms was offset.
Discussion and implications:
Social support underlies the association of frailty with depression, and its protective role varies by type. Interventions on depression should address improving perceptions and utilization of social support among frail older adults rather than simply providing them with objective support.
... Intergenerational solidarity among aging veterans and their grandchildren may also be protective because research has indicated that solidarity, rather than frequency of contact, between adult grandchildren and grandparents predicts decreases in grandparents' depressive symptoms (Moorman & Stokes, 2016). Thus, even with reduced opportunities for contact in light of physical distancing, affinity between grandparents and grandchildren, which can be conveyed via virtual communication or even letter writing, may promote aging veterans' mental health. ...
Prior wartime trauma likely acts as a double-edged sword that promotes both aging veterans' vulnerability and resilience in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. During this stressful time, aging veterans may benefit from having an array of socially supportive network ties. We therefore suggest that clinicians working with veterans encourage veterans to (a) create or sustain positive social connections while maintaining physical distance and (b) call upon coping strategies that helped them manage past difficulties. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
... The beneficial effects of the grandparent-grandchild relationship have been studied over time (Moorman & Stokes, 2016). Grandchildren's closeness to grandparents can be associated not only with their earlier patterns of relationships but also with changes in intergenerational ties over time (Geurts et al., 2012). ...
This study examines the benefits of introducing autoethnographic writing as part of an ageism intervention to familiarize students with the life course. In this mixed-methods study, 186 graduate and undergraduate students conducted interviews with a grandparent or older adult and subsequently assumed the identity of the grandparent to write introductions of themselves as if they were that grandparent, using “I” statements in an online discussion forum. Most assumed grandparents were women (78.0%), and White (63.8%) with an average age of 77.3 ( SD = 12.3). Emerging themes were categorized into three levels: structural, familial, and individual. The number of times a certain theme was mentioned was counted and major themes were analyzed. Findings indicated how autoethnographic reflections can promote student examination of self-awareness, cultural heritages, and personal growth. This technique is encouraging as an educational ageism intervention and warrants further adaptation and testing.
... 92,93 Ageism makes people feel alone, 94 leads to symptoms of depression, 95 and may be an element of stress for which individuals are unable to develop effective coping mechanisms. 96 Shin et al 48 reported that elderly individuals are generally accepted as a burden to society, 112 are generally identified with negative concepts, such as unproductive and useless, and for this reason suffer discrimination. 1,6 In this regard, the perception and attitude of society toward the elderly may be influential in the acceptance of elderly individuals and the attitudes of others in society toward the elderly. ...
Purpose
The Fraboni scale of ageism (FSA) is one of the scales used to determine ageism, which is the expression of prejudice toward the elderly because of their age through attitudes and behaviors. The purpose of this study is to determine the psychometric properties, factor analysis, and cut‐off value for the FSA in a sampling of healthcare workers.
Design and Methods
The sampling of this study was conducted methodologically in a descriptive and relationship‐seeking type of research and comprised 814 healthcare workers employed at a university and state hospital.
Findings
As a result of the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, it was found that the FSA comprised 29 items and three subdimensions, that these three factors explain approximately 30.23% of the total variance, and that the cut‐off value is 78.
Practice Implications
This study determined that the Turkish adaptation of the FSA is a suitable tool to measure the ageism of healthcare workers.
... Relatively few empirical studies have directly linked grandparent-grandchild relationship to grandchildren's well-being. Dunifon and Bajracharya (2012) found no association while other studies found grandparental involvement with grandchildren or the quality of their relationships to be positively related to grandchild well-being (Coall & Hertwig 2010;Griggs et al. 2010;Moorman & Stokes 2014;Sear & Coall 2011). A small number of studies have supported the concept of grandparents as latent resources that are mobilized in case of urgency (i.e. the "Family National Guard"). ...
Grandparents can play a supportive role when parents are divorced, but we know little about how important they actually are for the well-being of grandchildren. Existing studies do not distinguish between grandparental lineages. But a parental divorce usually has different consequences for relationships with grandparents on each side of the family, especially contacts with paternal grandparents getting hampered. And evolutionary perspectives suggest that maternal grandparents are more beneficial to grandchildren's well-being than paternal grandparents. Using a sample of grandchildren with divorced parents from the study 'Divorce in Flanders', we study whether the quality of relationships with maternal and paternal grandparents associate with grandchildren's subjective well-being. Our results indicate that, although relationships with maternal grandparents tend to be closer than those with paternal grandparents, the strength of relationships with maternal as well as paternal grandparents is positively associated with the well-being of grandchildren with divorced parents. This suggests that not only maternal grandparents, but also grandparents on the father's side of the family may play a beneficial role for their grandchildren in the often difficult times after a parental divorce.
... We also do not know much about the role's grandparents play in their families, especially regarding caring for and feeding grandchildren. The benefits of living in three-generation family households for adolescents' health can vary in different types of households (Moorman & Stokes, 2014;Pilkauskas & Dunifon, 2016). This study is exploratory in nature, examining the relationship between living in a three-generation family household and BMI trajectories. ...
Despite the rising trends in three-generation family households and obesity risk among Hispanics, few researchers have examined the possible relationship between living in three-generation family households and adolescent weight gain. In this study, we investigated (a) whether living in three-generation family households is associated with Hispanic adolescent body mass index (BMI) trajectories from adolescence to young adulthood; and (b) whether the association varies by immigrant status. We employed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent and Adult Health to obtain representative population estimates. The analytic sample consisted of 1,659 Hispanic adolescents. We used growth curve models to evaluate the changes in BMI as youths entered adulthood. Hispanic adolescents in three-generation family households had significantly slower rates of BMI growth than those who did not live in three-generation households (b = −0.12, p < 0.05). When the model was stratified by immigrant status, the results showed that adolescents living with three-generational families had significantly slower BMI growth over time than their counterparts in immigrant families (b = −0.15, p < 0.05). These findings suggested that living in three-generation family households may play an important role in reducing the risk of weight gain for Hispanic adolescents, especially in immigrant families. The positive roles that three-generation family households play are thus worth consideration in health strategies.
... Barnett et al., 2010), and psychological adjustment (e.g. Moorman and Stokes, 2014). ...
Grandparents are often considered as providing important resources in times of family crisis. Little is known, however, about the influence of grandparents on the well-being of grandchildren after parental divorce. This article investigates the association between the quality of relationships with grandparents and grandchildren's subjective well-being. Using data from the study 'Divorce in Flanders', the authors compare 567 grandchildren with divorced and 238 with married parents regarding four indicators of subjective well-being (life satisfaction, self-esteem, mastery, and depressive feelings) and also examine variation within the group with divorced parents. Results show that the strength of grandchild-grandparent relationships is positively associated with grandchildren's subjective well-being and that having a very good relationship with a grandparent matters even more for grand-children whose parents have divorced. Moreover, grandchildren who experience frequent conflicts between divorced parents seem to benefit most from close grandparent relationships.
... This has been attributed to a range of factors, such as a rise in the number of single parents, and an increase in the number of women returning to work following the birth of a child (Mitchell, 2007;Dunifon and Bajracharya, 2012;Bol and Kalmijn, 2016). Furthermore, life expectancy in the United Kingdom continues to increase (Public Health England, 2011), meaning that grandparent-grandchild relationships are often sustained for many years (Moorman and Stokes, 2014). In fact, Smith (2005) suggests that some may be grandparents for as much as a third of their lifetime. ...
Objective: The birth of a child with a cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) can have a significant emotional and social impact on parents. Yet, the impact on the wider family is rarely investigated. Grandparents are becoming increasingly involved in the care of their grandchildren and may therefore have support needs of their own. The aim of the current study was to explore the experiences and support needs of grandparents of children born with CL/P.
Design: Individual semistructured telephone interviews were carried out with 12 grandparents of children born with CL/P and were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
Results: Five themes were identified (1) emotional impact of CL/P on grandparents, (2) grandparents’ social experiences, (3) grandparents’ involvement, (4) grandparents’ information needs, and (5) grandparents’ support needs. Participants experienced difficult emotions around the time of diagnosis and were concerned about the child’s treatment and future experiences. Participants played a significant role in supporting the whole family, but received little information or support themselves.
Conclusions: Grandparents reported experiences comparable to published literature on parents. Clinicians and charitable organizations could consider how existing resources could be made more accessible to and/or adapted for wider family members, including grandparents.
Keywords cleft lip and palate, family, psychological adjustment, support, grandparents, qualitative research
... 48 Closeness to older adults improves a person's self-esteem, and makes people aware of positive age-related changes. 49 A previous study described closeness with respect to the older population and sees it as an important link in the familial chain. 50 Similarly, people reporting spending more time with an older person have more regards and a higher value towards society. ...
BACKGROUND: With the steadily increasing size of its elderly popu.lation, Saudi Arabia is currently trying to meet the demands for com.petent care for older people. However, the lack of a valid and reliable measurement instrument in the Arab Peninsula hinders related studies among nursing students in this part of the globe. Given the importance of nursing students' attitudes toward working with older people, a specialized tool that can provide an accurate assessment of students' attitudes toward older adults is necessary. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the psychometric properties of the Kogan Attitudes towards Older People Arabic version (KAOP-A) among Saudi nursing students. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional. SETTING: Nursing department of a government university. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using total population sampling, Saudi nursing students were surveyed using the KAOP-A. The tool was culturally adapted to the Arabic language using a forward and backward method. Content and construct validity were established accordingly. The internal consistency was established to support the reliability of the tool. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The validity and reliability of the KAOP-A. SAMPLE SIZE: 164 nursing students. RESULTS: The KAOP-A had acceptable content and construct valid.ity. The Exploratory Factor Analysis supported a two-factor solution for the KAOP-A with an explained variance of 60.12%. The computed Cronbach's alpha for the entire scale was 0.89. The mean score of the KAOP-A scale was 121.55 (SD=26.92, range=40-204), indicating a slightly positive attitude toward aging among the students. Nursing students belonging to extended type of family and living in rural community, as well as older students and students who reported higher degree of closeness with their grandparents, exhibited more positive attitudes towards older people. CONCLUSION: The tool can be used to accurately assess student attitudes towards older people, which can inform the creation of educational policies and interventions geared towards creating a more positive outlook on older adult care among nursing students in Saudi Arabia. LIMITATIONS: We did not perform test and re-test reliability analysis.None.
... Bengtson (2001) showed how family members are embedded in an emotional network and find emotional support in their intergenerational ties. Moorman and Stokes (2016) have shown that elderly people improve their psychological health and experience positive emotions when they are in contact with others. In addition, the presence of children in family life generally increases parents' happiness for most couples (Nelson et al., 2013). ...
Purpose: This paper examines the interplay of emotions and consumption within intergenerational exchanges. It shows how emotions pervade the trajectories of grandmothers’ relational identities with their grandchildren through consumption practices.
Design/methodology/approach: This study analyses qualitative data gathered via twenty-eight long interviews with French grandmothers and twenty-seven semi-structured interviews with their grandchildren. This study draws on attachment theory to interpret the voices of both grandmothers and their grandchildren within these dyads.
Findings: This study uncovers how consumption and emotions intersect with the trajectories of French grandmothers’ relational identities. Consumption plays a particularly significant role, related to the various types of attachment (secure, avoidance or anxiety) and the age of the grandchildren.
Research limitations/ implications: Marketing communication strategies might employ advertising messages, which contribute to the management of relational identities, particularly where these might vary, or even conflict, within families. Future research could investigate firstly, whether the findings hold for other family dyads and relational identities; secondly, how far emotions in relational contexts might vary according to parents’ and children’s different experiences within their shared consumer environments; and thirdly whether or not these findings resonate beyond the French cultural context.
Originality/value: First, this study is distinguished from previous studies because it uncovers a variety of relational sub-identities within a grandmother’s identity trajectory, linked to her different experiences with her respective grandchildren, in the shared family environment. Second, this study identifies a variety of emotions, and how these intersect with consumption, within relational identity trajectories. Finally, this study extends our knowledge of consumption amongst older consumers.
... Despite changes in family structure (Serap et al., 2016), family solidarity remains a central element in the social integration of older adults (Melchiorre et al., 2013). Numerous studies have analyzed the differentiated role of family support in the wellbeing of older adults, whether spouse or partner (Thomas, 2010), children (Grundy & Read, 2012), grandchildren (Moorman & Stokes, 2016), siblings (Jensen & Nielson, 2016), or other members of the extended family (Taylor & Chatters, 1991). In general, results indicate that family social support is complementary and can even be replaced in some situations. ...
Family and community social networks act as social resources that promote well-being at advanced ages. In this study, we analyze the association between social support received from personal social networks (social support from various family members and friends) and community social networks (social support from neighbors and the neighborhood, age, ethnic, or religious group peers and formal social support networks) and quality of life (QoL) for a sample of older Chilean persons (n = 777). The results confirm that social support from family (partner, children, and extended family) and friends, integration in the community (neighbors) and social support from informal systems (social groups) are associated with QoL. Moreover, the model including both types of support explains 25.8% of variance in QoL. The results and their possible implications are discussed.
... A somewhat clearer picture emerges when looking at studies investigating the role of grandparents in grandchildren's psychological well-being. Both Ruiz and Silverstein (2007) and Moorman and Stokes (2016) found that greater cohesion with grandparents reduced depressive symptoms in adolescent/adult grandchildren. Previous research provided no indication, however, of a grandparent effect on grandchildren's self-esteem (Ruiz and Silverstein 2007) or risky health behaviours (Dunifon and Bajracharya 2012). ...
Against the background of a ‘new wave’ of empirical studies investigating various aspects of grandparenthood across a broad range of regional contexts, this article aims to take stock of what has been achieved so far and which lessons we can learn from this for the future. Our focus is on the measurement of grandparenthood and grandparenting in quantitative social surveys and the implications this has for the substantive questions we can ask and the answers we can get out of such data. For several broader questions—who is a grandparent and when does this transition happen; what does it mean to be a grandparent; and what are the implications of grandparenthood for families?—we review previous questionnaire items from a variety of surveys as well as studies in which they were used. We identify relevant issues related to these questions which cannot be adequately addressed with currently available data, but should be considered in new or ongoing survey projects. The answers provided by recent studies as well as the many still open questions identified here indicate excellent prospects for scholarship on grandparents in the years to come.
... In line with our findings, a study reported that grandparenthood is positively correlated with life satisfaction and mental health (31). Another study revealed that GGR significantly alleviated depressive symptoms and thereby, improved life satisfaction and quality of life (32). Despite the theoretical and empirical evidence respecting the positive effects of grandparental roles on older adults' health and well-being, some scholars noted that grandparenthood is not correlated with well-being (33). ...
... It is less clear how grandparents' care influence their grandchildren's health. While there is some evidence that grandparents can play a significant role in supporting their grandchildren's social and emotional wellbeing [29,30], there is also evidence that the multifaceted nature of these relationships can have both beneficial and adverse impacts [31,32]. ...
Many lifestyle patterns are established when children are young. Research has focused on the potential role of parents as a risk factor for non communicable disease in children, but there is limited investigation of the role of other caregivers, such as grandparents. The aim of this review was to identify and synthesise evidence for any influence grandparents’ care practices may have on their grandchildren’s long term cancer risk factors. A systematic review was carried out with searches across four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO) as well as searches of reference lists and citing articles, and Google Scholar. Search terms were based on six areas of risk that family care could potentially influence–weight, diet, physical activity, tobacco, alcohol and sun exposure. All study designs were included, as were studies that provided an indication of the interaction of grandparents with their grandchildren. Studies were excluded if grandparents were primary caregivers and if children had serious health conditions. Study quality was assessed using National Institute for Health and Care Excellence checklists. Grandparent impact was categorised as beneficial, adverse, mixed or as having no impact. Due to study heterogeneity a meta-analysis was not possible. Qualitative studies underwent a thematic synthesis of their results. Results from all included studies indicated that there was a sufficient evidence base for weight, diet, physical activity and tobacco studies to draw conclusions about grandparents’ influence. One study examined alcohol and no studies examined sun exposure. Evidence indicated that, overall, grandparents had an adverse impact on their grandchildren’s cancer risk factors. The theoretical work in the included studies was limited. Theoretically underpinned interventions designed to reduce these risk factors must consider grandparents’ role, as well as parents’, and be evaluated robustly to inform the evidence base further.
Objectives:
To test whether contagious depressive symptoms mediate the association between spousal depressive symptoms (spousal-DS) and the other spouse's cognitive function, and test the moderated mediation of social activities engagement and sleep quality.
Study design:
A total of 3,230 adults aged ≥60 and one of his/her close relatives were interviewed in 2016 in Xiamen, China.
Methods:
Cognitive function and depressive symptoms were measured by MoCA and GDS-15/CES-D-10, respectively. Social activities engagement and sleep quality were self-reported. Mediation and moderated mediation were tested by PROCESS macro with 5000 bootstrapping re-samples.
Result:
Among all, 1,193 pairs were husband-wife with complete information and were included. The mean ages of older adults and their spouses were 68.35 ± 6.53 and 66.53 ± 7.91 years, respectively. The mean MoCA and GDS-15 scores for older adults were 22.21 ± 5.45 and 1.73 ± 2.17, respectively. The average score of CES-D-10 for spouses was 14.18 ± 4.77. Spousal-DS were associated with cognitive functions of older adults via the contagious depressive symptoms (indirect effect: -0.048, 95% confidence interval (CI): (-0.075, -0.028)). Such mediation can be buffered by attending social activities (interaction: -0.062, 95% CI: (-0.111, -0.013)) and improving sleep quality (interaction: -0.034, 95% CI: (-0.057, -0.012)).
Conclusion:
Cognitive function of older adults was associated with his/her spouse's depressive symptoms, and the association was mediated by contagious depressive symptoms and moderated by social activities as well as sleep quality.
La génération des grands-parents véhicule généralement des images réconfortantes de bien-être, d’accueil et de disponibilité. Par ailleurs, la maltraitance d’enfant constitue un acte émotionnellement chargé sur le plan individuel et collectif. Il y a une réelle antinomie entre ces deux notions « grand- parent » et « maltraitance d’enfant » qui apparaissent comme incompatibles entre elles. L’article développe les concepts de transmission, d’intergénérationnel et de transgénérationnel avant de développer une vignette clinique qui permettra d’illustrer les éléments de prise en charge. Reconnaissons que la thématique des grands-parents maltraitants demeure déconcertante tant elle bouscule nos représentations individuelles et collectives.
This study used nationally representative data from the China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey 2018 to examine how activity patterns in the personal and family life domains were associated with social networks among Chinese older adults and whether internet use changed these relationships. Using latent class analysis, we identified four activity patterns, including Personal‐centered Activity class (14.37%), Low Activity class (58.06%), Family‐centered Activity class (19.24%), and Balanced Activity class (8.33%). Multivariate analyses revealed that the Personal‐centered Activity and Low Activity classes were associated with looser family ties compared with the Family‐centered Activity class, whereas the Balanced Activity class was associated with closer friendship ties. Internet usage was significantly associated with stronger family and friendship ties in the Low Activity group. Intervention programs to address the digital divide and engage older adults with limited offline social engagement in online communications may have positive effects on maintaining or expanding their social networks.
Este ensayo intenta reseñar algunos de los cambios por los que está pasando el conjunto familiar revisando el concepto de hogar, stepfamilies; parentalidad, nietos y los nuevos roles que están tomando los abuelos ante estas transformaciones. Como resultado más relevante se indica que estos nuevos roles de los adultos mayores son de importancia esencial para entender algunas de las peculiaridades de las familias contemporáneas, señalándose como los mismos se correlacionan con las tendencias demográficas por las que pasan Latinoamérica y el mundo.
Статья посвящена обзору зарубежных исследований межпоколенных отношений. В ней анализируются детско-прародительские отношения, а также фигура прародителя и понимание им своей роли в системе отношений с членами семьи, принадлежащими к разным поколениям. Постановка фигуры, относящейся к старшему поколению семьи, в центр внимания позволяет искать и находить новые факторы, определяю-щие характер и качество отношений между бабушками/дедушками и внуками. В статье также рассматри-вается специфика отношений с внуками прародителей из расширенных семей и прародителей, проживаю-щих отдельно. Ключевые слова: детско-прародительские отношения, прародители, внуки, отдельно проживающие прародители, расширенные семьи. Для цитаты: Булыгина М.В., Комарова С.В. Прародители и внуки (обзор зарубежных исследований) [Электронный ресурс] // Современная зарубежная психология.
Objectives: The present study aims to identify distinct types of relationships between grandparents and their adult children, measure the associations between these relationship types and depressive symptoms among grandparents, and determine whether these associations vary by grandparent status.
Method:This study uses data from a sample of 1,196 grandparents age 51 and older from the 2014 Health and Retirement Study. Latent class analysis (LCA) is applied and identifies types of grandparent–adult children relationships. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models are used to estimate the association between relationship types and depressive symptoms by grandparent status.
Results: LCA identified four grandparent-adult children relationship types: amicable, ambivalent, detached, and disharmonious. Custodial and co-parenting grandparents were most likely to report having an ambivalent relationship with their adult children. Among co-parenting and custodial grandparents, disharmonious relationships were associated with more depressive symptoms.
Conclusion: Interventions are suggested to improve emotional relationships with adult children and dyadic family relationships among grandparent families.
Demographic and social changes are having a profound effect on grandparenthood and grandparenting experience in Asia. The demographic changes have resulted in postponement of grandparenthood. But the shared lifetime between grandchildren and grandparents is increasing. The chances of becoming a grandparent itself is no longer universal in some parts of Asia. The social changes have resulted in increasing need of grandparental care of grandchildren. Asian grandparenting occurs in the context of strong reciprocal expectation of intergenerational support and solidarity with grandparenting roles culturally valued and inclusive. With increasing number of grandparents not co-residing with grandchildren, the use of ICTs for grandparenting has risen. Such digital grandparenting practices are redefining grandparenting roles and relationships. Asian grandparents positively rate their grandparenting experience. However, they do face challenges balancing their other care responsibilities, roles, activities, and demands with grandparenting. The challenges and the diversity of grandparenting experiences in Asia remain largely understudied and unacknowledged both in the academic literature and in policy making.
Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die vielschichtigen Einflüsse privater Lebensformen auf die Förderung und Erhaltung von Gesundheit. Aus theoretischer Sicht lassen sich partnerschaftliche Lebensformen mit oder ohne gemeinsamen Haushalt und (nicht-)familiale Lebensformen ohne bzw. mit Kindern differenzieren. Einem aus der Forschungsliteratur abgeleiteten Modell zufolge lassen sich verschiedene Wirkmechanismen identifizieren: zum einen die Verfügbarkeit ökonomischer Ressourcen, zum anderen soziale Ressourcen, welche in Form sozialer Unterstützung oder sozialer Verhaltenskontrolle die Gesundheit beeinflussen. Während mit steigendem Institutionalisierungsgrad der Lebensform der Zugang zu den genannten Ressourcen – und damit die Möglichkeiten der Gesundheitsförderung und -prävention – in der Regel verbessert wird, sind die Vorhersagen bei familialen Lebensformen komplexer: Neben der Parität und dem Timing von Elternschaft kommt es hier insbesondere auf die Qualität der Familienbeziehungen an.
Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen detaillierten Überblick über die Auswirkungen verschiedener Familienbildungsprozesse wie Geburt, Heirat, Scheidung und Verwitwung sowie der Gestaltung von Familienbeziehungen auf die Gesundheit im Erwachsenenalter. Wir werfen einen methodenkritischen Blick auf die vorliegenden empirischen Befunde, unter Berücksichtigung verschiedener vermittelnder Mechanismen: soziale Unterstützung, soziale Kontrolle, ökonomische Ressourcen sowie evolutionäre bzw. biologische Prozesse. Besondere Beachtung schenken wir dabei möglichen Selektionsprozessen und kausaler Inferenz: Insgesamt zeigt sich, dass partnerschaftsbezogene und familiale Übergänge als Katalysator gesundheitlicher Ungleichheit fungieren können, indem sie einerseits durch einen guten Gesundheitszustand wahrscheinlicher werden (Positivselektion) und andererseits gesundheitliche Vorteile produzieren können (mögliche Kausaleffekte). Für eine umfassendere Erforschung und präzisere Differenzierung beider Wirkrichtungen sind weitere Panelstudien notwendig.
Background and objectives:
Grandparent-adult grandchild relationships may not be captured in existing grandparenting typologies, which focus on early stages of these relationships. Our study develops a typology for later stages, estimates the prevalence of grandparents in each category, and examines associations between category membership and grandparent and grandchild characteristics.
Research design and methods:
Using a sample of 289 grandparents from the latest wave of the Longitudinal Study of Generations (2005), we employed latent class analysis models to examine underlying categories of grandparent-adult grandchild relationships, based on four dimensions - frequency of contact, relationship quality, grandparents' receipt of support, and geographic distance.
Results:
Three latent classes emerged: Geographically Distant/Low Contact (45 percent), Geographically Close/High Contact (42 percent), and Geographically Close/Low Contact (13 percent). While geographic distance and frequency of contact were dimensions distinguishing grandparent-adult grandchild relationships, receipt of support and relationship quality were not. Most grandparents reported close relationships but infrequent support.
Discussion and implications:
By identifying categories of grandparent-adult grandchild relationships and factors influencing membership in them, our study may aid in efforts to strengthen those characterized by weak bonds - namely, those with grandparents who are older, frailer, and poorer.
The article reviews foreign studies of intergenerational relationships. It analyzes grandchild-grandparent relations, as well as the figure of the grandparent and his/her understanding of his/her role in the system of relations with family members belonging to different generations. Putting a figure belonging to the older generation of the family in the spotlight made it possible to look for and find new factors that determine the nature and quality of the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. The article also examines the specificity of interrelations between grandchildren and grandparents living in extended families or separately from their children and grandchildren.
Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die vielschichtigen Einflüsse privater Lebensformen auf die Förderung und Erhaltung von Gesundheit. Aus theoretischer Sicht lassen sich partnerschaftliche Lebensformen mit oder ohne gemeinsamen Haushalt und (nicht-)familiale Lebensformen ohne bzw. mit Kindern differenzieren. Einem aus der Forschungsliteratur abgeleiteten Modell zufolge lassen sich verschiedene Wirkmechanismen identifizieren: zum einen die Verfügbarkeit ökonomischer Ressourcen, zum anderen soziale Ressourcen, welche in Form sozialer Unterstützung oder sozialer Verhaltenskontrolle die Gesundheit beeinflussen. Während mit steigendem Institutionalisierungsgrad der Lebensform der Zugang zu den genannten Ressourcen – und damit die Möglichkeiten der Gesundheitsförderung und -prävention – in der Regel verbessert wird, sind die Vorhersagen bei familialen Lebensformen komplexer: Neben der Parität und dem Timing von Elternschaft kommt es hier insbesondere auf die Qualität der Familienbeziehungen an.
Le diverse e nuove tecnologie comunicative caratterizzano le nostre comunità con effetti diretti e indiretti sulla gestione delle relazioni sociali (Schmitz, 2016), favorendo forme di isolamento, tendenza all’individualismo, assenza di impegno sociale e nelle relazioni significative; altro impatto sociale significativo è la tensione verso gli interessi personali piuttosto che lo sviluppo di processi cooperativi e azioni collettive (Procentese, Scotto di Luzio, & Natale, 2011).
Obiettivo del presente studio è stato comprendere se il senso di solitudine esperito dalle persone nei loro contesti sociali significativi (solitudine familiare, sociale, romantica) e la loro specifica motivazione a conoscere nuove persone (per desiderio sociale o romantico, per compensazione sociale) abbiano influenzato il loro comportamento (nello specifico, la self-presentation e self-disclosure, aspetti fondamentali nella creazione di relazioni intime e significative, Ward, 2016) nella relazione con le persone conosciute attraverso le app di dating online.
Un questionario online è stato somministrato a 636 online daters, di età compresa tra 16 e 67 anni (M = 26.59; SD = 8.66), con le seguenti scale: Cyber Relationships Motives Scale (α = 87) di Wang e Chang (2010), short version della Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SESLA-S, α = 82) di DiTommaso, Brannen e Best (2004), Online Self-Openness Scale (α = 68) (Procentese, & Gatti, 2017).
Dallo studio, sono emersi come predittori significativi di autentica apertura nelle relazioni attraverso le app di dating online la solitudine (β = .143, p < 0.01), il desiderio di conoscere nuove persone (β = .193, p < 0.01), il desiderio di trovare un partner per una relazione potenzialmente duratura (β = .125, p < 0.01); non è emerso come predittore significativo, invece, la compensazione sociale (β = -.08, ns).
I risultati dello studio suggeriscono che l’apertura degli online daters sia influenzata dal senso di solitudine che essi esperiscono nell’ambito dei loro contesti sociali significativi (familiare, sociale, romantico) e dal loro desiderio di conoscere nuovi potenziali amici o partner per relazioni romantiche.
Sembra emergere uno spostamento dei luoghi di incontro e relazione nell’ambito delle comunità, dai luoghi tradizionali di aggregazione (piazze, bar, discoteche, etc.) verso gli ambienti online (tra cui le app di dating online). Queste ultime, infatti, vengono oggi utilizzate con diverse finalità anche in relazione al contesto geografico e sociale nel quale si vive (contesto metropolitano, piccole città, etc.) ed ai bisogni individuali insoddisfatti (di aggregazione, di identificazione, di soddisfazione sessuale, relazionali, etc.) (Van De Wiele, & Tong, 2014).
Nell’ambito del III Workshop Cities from the sea – Maritime Identity and Urban Regeneration, gli Psicologi di Comunità hanno lavorato in collaborazione con Architetti, Urbanisti ed Economisti per progettare interventi di rigenerazione urbana per l’area di Nisida e Bagnoli (NA), con focus sul rapporto della comunità locale con il mare.
L’obiettivo generale è la progettazione di interventi per la valorizzazione delle risorse sociali ed urbane preesistenti. In un primo step, attraverso la creazione di una rete sociale, si creeranno connessioni tra le realtà associative ed imprenditoriali presenti sul territorio; in una fase successiva, si creeranno tavoli di progettazione sociale ed urbana a cui possano partecipare attivamente gli attori così connessi ed i referenti Istituzionali. Il fine ultimo è restituire alla cittadinanza il waterfront di Bagnoli come spazio pubblico ed elemento identitario attraverso processi decisionali e partecipativi condivisi.
Sono state condotte interviste semi-strutturate finalizzate alla comprensione del legame con i luoghi, dei bisogni e desideri espressi da cittadini e Stakeholders (rappresentanti di associazioni, imprenditori, rappresentanti delle Istituzioni) rispetto all’area. Attraverso queste interviste, sono state esplorate anche le relazioni sociali esistenti all’interno della comunità locale, che sono state rappresentate ricorrendo alla Carta di Rousseau (Rousseau, Bélanger, 1985).
Dal quanto emerso dall'analisi del tessuto sociale e dei legami con il luogo, dalle interviste alla cittadinanza e agli Stakeholders, il gruppo di lavoro ha formulato alcune possibili strategie progettuali da proporre agli attori sociali coinvolti per l’implementazione della rete: 1) organizzazione di focus group nei quali discutere e negoziare percezioni, visioni e desideri inerenti l’area ed il suo rapporto con il mare, per giungere alla definizione di chiari obiettivi comuni; 2) organizzazione di eventi con la finalità di valorizzare le risorse ambientali e culturali presenti, rafforzando l’identità locale ed il senso di appartenenza; 3) “adozione” da parte di cittadini ed associazioni di spazi pubblici, con l’intento di trasformarli da luoghi degradati a luoghi di aggregazione, con la finalità ultima di promuovere la partecipazione attiva nella cura degli spazi comuni.
La vision che guida tale progettazione in divenire è volta a ripensare i sentimenti derivanti dalla rappresentazione dell’area di Bagnoli come “territorio ferito” per tradurli da agito comune, attraverso l’isolamento e la chiusura, in processi collaborativi che ridefiniscano gli elementi identitari e di aggregazione. L’identificazione di tali elementi, infatti, potrebbe implementare la coesione della rete sociale e, in ultima analisi, innescare processi empowering all’interno della comunità stessa.
Using Communicated Narrative Sense-Making Theory (Koenig Kellas, 2018), this study tested how grandchildren’s perceptions of risk and knowledge about heart disease in the family, as well as relational satisfaction, changed over the course of 3 weeks as a result of engaging in a storytelling experiment. Participants included 17 grandchild participants who interviewed their grandparents to tell stories about family heart health or discuss everyday events based on random assignment into a treatment or comparison group. Additionally, participants completed measures surrounding their knowledge of heart disease, relational satisfaction with their grandparent, and their perception of risk to develop heart disease in their lifetime. Thematic analysis of the stories revealed three parts to the storytelling sequence: (a) the HD Family Tree, (b) the grandparent’s story and reaction, and (c) advice/lessons learned. Story themes included (a) confusion/shock, (b) acceptance of their health, and (c) disjointed reporting. Statistical analyses revealed trends for an increase in heart disease knowledge in the treatment group over time, as well as increased perceptions of dread risk over time, although relational satisfaction for grandchildren in their grandparent-grandchild relationship did not change over the 3 weeks. The results of this study provide a deeper look into how grandparents may help to socialize their grandchildren in this understudied family relationship, especially in regards to health. Moreover, these results also help to shed light on how CNSM’s proposition relating to intergenerational values, attitudes, and beliefs are communicated through retrospective stories about health and what living family members should be aware of for their own health moving forward. Advisor: Jody Koenig Kellas
Grandparents can be an important source of support for their grandchildren in the often difficult time during and after parents’ divorce or separation. Grandchild–grandparent relationships can be hampered or even totally lost when parents separate, however. What happens with grandparent relationships when parents break up is closely linked to postdivorce physical custody arrangements. This article focuses on the beneficial role that grandparent relationships can play after parents separate and examines how grandparent–grandchild relationships differ in shared and sole physical custody arrangements.
Popular media describe adverse effects of helicopter parents who provide intense support to grown children, but few studies have examined implications of such intense support. Grown children (N = 592, M age = 23.82 years, 53% female, 35% members of racial/ethnic minority groups) and their parents (N = 399, M age = 50.67 years, 52% female; 34% members of racial/ethnic minority groups) reported on the support they exchanged with one another. Intense support involved parents' providing several types of support (e.g., financial, advice, emotional) many times a week. Parents and grown children who engaged in such frequent support viewed it as nonnormative (i.e., too much support), but grown children who received intense support reported better psychological adjustment and life satisfaction than grown children who did not receive intense support. Parents who perceived their grown children as needing too much support reported poorer life satisfaction. The discussion focuses on generational differences in the implications of intense parental involvement during young adulthood.
We investigated whether and under what family conditions young adult grandchildren psychologically benefit from having close and supportive grandparent relations. Relying on parental absence and family systems perspectives, we hypothesized that grandparents will be most effective in reducing depressive symptoms and increasing self-esteem of grandchildren who were raised in single-parent and step-parent families, as well as those with poorer quality relations with their parents. We analyzed data from a sample of grandchildren aged 18–23 years who were surveyed in the 1992–1994 wave of the National Survey of Families and Households (n = 925). Hierarchical multiple regressions with interaction terms found that greater cohesion with grandparents decreased depressive symptoms, particularly among grandchildren raised in single-parent families. However, cohesive grandparent relations reduced depressive symptoms more in the presence of stronger ties to parents. The model partially supports the long reach of grandparents as compensatory resources for mature grandchildren whose families of origin were absent a parent. Implications for future research on the role of grandparents in family systems are discussed.
Drawing on family systems theory, this study examined whether social cohesion with grandparents moderated the intergenerational transmission of depressive symptoms from mothers to their adolescent and young adult children. We analyzed data from 2,280 grandchildren and their mothers who participated in two waves of the National Survey of Families and Households. Results revealed that grandchildren who were least integrated with their grandparents resembled their mothers in the severity of depressive symptoms. Grandchildren who were more integrated with their grandparents bore no such resemblance. We conclude that grandparents are consequential family actors who, by conditioning parent-child dynamics, influence the long-term emotional well-being of their grandchildren. Results are discussed in terms of intergenerational interdependence and the untapped resource that older adults represent.
Despite the fact that caregiving related issues are well researched in the field of family gerontology, the developmental experiences of grandchildren caregivers and the meanings of their caregiving experiences have not been explored. Influenced by the lifespan perspective and a constructionism lens, interviews were conducted with 17 grandchildren (ages 21 to 29 years old) who were currently providing care for a grandparent. Grandchildren cargivers reported that filial obligation and preparing for the future were how they made sense of their role. Grandchildren experienced benefits and costs from their caregiving role and developed coping mechanisms that allowed them to be successful caregivers. Professionals should include grandchildren in established caregiver support programs to recognize the generational needs of grandchildren caregivers in their 20s.
The paper focuses on intergenerational support relations between grandparents and their grandchildren in Germany, and how they have changed from 1996 to 2002. The paper begins with a brief review of the literature on functional aspects of the grandparent-grandchild relationship, after which the research hypotheses about intergenerational support in the relationship are elaborated. Following a description of the data source, the German Ageing Survey, and its samples and measures, the evidence on the patterns of grandparents' provision and receipt of intergenerational support to and from their grandchildren are presented and compared with parent-child support patterns. The analysis also considers varia-tions by age groups and birth cohorts and changes over time. The main empirical finding is that there was a greater likelihood of financial transfers to grandchildren in 2002 than six years earlier. Nevertheless, the grandparents' relationships with their grandchildren remained imbalanced or asymmetrical, at the older gener-ation's expense. It was found that financial and instrumental support patterns between grandparents and grandchildren were best explained using an 'inter-generational stake ' hypothesis rather than one of ' intergenerational solidarity' ; the latter is more consistent with parent-child support patterns. KEY WORDS – grandparents, intergenerational relations, intergenerational solidarity, intergenerational stake, informal support, Germany.
The authors investigate the structure of intergenerational cohesion by examining social-psychological, structural, and transactional as-pects of adult child–parent relations. The authors use latent class analysis to develop a typology based on three underlying dimensions of intergenerational solidarity: affinity, opportunity structure, and function. The same five types are found for relations with both mothers and fathers: tight-knit, sociable, intimate but distant, oblig-atory, and detached. Relationship types are also differentiated by sociodemographic characteristics; relations with fathers and di-vorced parents tended to have the weakest cohesion. The authors conclude that adult intergenerational relationships in American families are structurally diverse but generally possess the potential to serve their members' needs.
In previous studies of intergenerational relationships, geographic distance has been considered the most obvious factor influencing
opportunity for frequency of contact between grandparents and grandchildren. This study presents findings from a survey of
70 international college students in the Unites States regarding perceived grandparental influence and relationship satisfaction
with their “closest” grandparent. Results showed that participants' perceived influence of grandparents and relationship satisfaction
was maintained despite decreased contact between grandparents and grandchildren. In addition, grandchildren who initiated
contact were found to have a significant impact on relationship satisfaction. This study provides an understanding of distance,
contact, and intergenerational relationships in an international context.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the association between
various aspects of social support and depressive symptoms separately
among men and women. Method: Using a sample of 6,767 middle-aged
adults from one wave of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (1992-1993),
the authors performed a series of ANCOVAs predicting depressive symptoms
and controlling for background variables. Results: The authors found
that the receipt of emotional support was associated with mental health in
women only, whereas the provision of emotional and instrumental support
was associated with mental health among men and women, but with varying
patterns. For example, men who provided instrumental support to nonkin
only had the highest levels of depressive symptoms, whereas women who
provided instrumental support to kin only had the highest levels of symptoms.
Discussion: This study helps to clarify if and what types of social support
are related to mental health in men and women.
Using cross-sectional data from the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study (N = 1,231), this study examines the relationship between grandchildren and their grandparents across early adulthood. Age is used as a proxy for change during the grandchild's life course and the influence of major life course characteristics is examined. Results indicate that the majority of young adult grandchildren have contact with their grandparents, but the average frequency is low. age differences in contact frequency suggest a decline in grandparent-grandchild contact across early adulthood. Multilevel analyses show that grandchildren's employment status, partner, and parenthood status do not affect contact frequency with grandparents. Rather, the results point at the importance of the parental home for facilitating grandparent-grandchild contact as age-related differences are accounted for by whether grandchildren left the parental home. Furthermore, most of the variance in grandparent-grandchild contact is attributable to differences between family of the mother's and family of the father's side.
Providing support to an aging parent may pose challenges to adult children but also provide an opportunity to "give back" to loved ones. The current study investigated changes in emotional and instrumental support and quality across a period of 4 years. Additionally, associations between intergenerational support and well-being in adult children over time were investigated.
Data from the first and second waves of the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study (N = 6,062) were analyzed to investigate the relative importance of relationship quality and support exchange and to test the potential buffering role of relationship quality for effects of the changing balance of support on well-being.
It was found that provision of instrumental and emotional support to parents increased during a period of 4 years. At the same time, instrumental support children received from parents decreased, whereas emotional support from parents increased. Intergenerational support exchange between children and parents was not associated with well-being in children, whereas the quality of the intergenerational relationship strongly predicted their well-being.
Decreasing relationship quality seems a greater threat to the well-being of caregiving children than increased support and care tasks. Family counseling and public awareness to address this decline in intergenerational relationship quality may be important for well-being of families.
There is limited research on the links between grandparenting and adolescents' well-being, especially from the perspective of the adolescents. The study examined whether grandparent involvement varied in two-parent biological, lone-parent, and step-families and whether this had a different contribution to the emotional and behavioral adjustment of adolescents across different family structures. The study is based on a sample of 1,515 secondary school students (ages 11-16 years) from England and Wales who completed a structured questionnaire. Findings of hierarchical regression analyses showed that among the whole sample, greater grandparent involvement was associated with fewer emotional problems (p < .01) and with more prosocial behavior (p < .001). In addition, while there were no differences in the level of grandparent involvement across the different family structures, grandparent involvement was more strongly associated with reduced adjustment difficulties among adolescents from lone-parent and step-families than those from two-parent biological families. A possible implication is that the positive role of grandparent involvement in lone-parent and step- families should be more emphasized in family psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved).
To assess the association between emotional and instrumental support from children and living arrangements with the physical and mental health of older people in Spain.
A face-to-face home interview was carried out with 1284 community-dwelling people over 65 (response rate = 83%) randomly sampled according to an age- and sex-stratified sampling scheme in 1993 at Leganés (Spain). Close to 93% of the participants had children and 45% of them coresided with them. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic study depression scale) and self-rated health (SRH) by a single-item question. Emotional support was measured with a six-item scale on affection and reciprocity. Instrumental support was assessed by help received from children in 17 activities of daily living. Four living arrangements were considered: Living with spouse only, living with a spouse and children, widower living alone, and widower living with children.
Multivariate analysis controlling for age, gender, education and functional status showed that low emotional support and reception of instrumental aid were significantly associated with poor SRH. Being a widower and sharing living arrangements with children was associated with good SRH. Living arrangements modify some of the associations of support of children with SRH. Depressive symptoms were associated with low emotional support, reception of instrumental help and being a widower who did not share living arrangements with children. For widowers who do not cohabit with children, reception of instrumental aid is associated with low depressive symptomatology.
Emotional support from children seems to play an important role in maintaining the physical and mental health of elderly people in Spain. Instrumental support is widely available. Coresidence with children is very common and it is associated with good self-perceived health and low prevalence of depressive symptoms in a culture where family interdependence is highly valued. Families should be protected and encouraged to continue care-giving through a variety of community services and respite care, adapted to their needs and preferences. Research should be undertaken to find more efficient ways to help family caregivers in the Mediterranean context.
This study examines the relative contributions of giving versus receiving support to longevity in a sample of older married adults. Baseline indicators of giving and receiving support were used to predict mortality status over a 5-year period in the Changing Lives of Older Couples sample. Results from logistic regression analyses indicated that mortality was significantly reduced for individuals who reported providing instrumental support to friends, relatives, and neighbors, and individuals who reported providing emotional support to their spouse. Receiving support had no effect on mortality once giving support was taken into consideration. This pattern of findings was obtained after controlling for demographic, personality, health, mental health, and marital-relationship variables. These results have implications for understanding how social contact influences health and longevity.
This research tests hypotheses from equity theory and social integration theory regarding the effect of social relationships on depressive symptoms.
The data are based on a representative sample of people aged 60 and older from southern Brazil. The baseline sample consists of 871 subjects interviewed in 1995. Among those baseline subjects, 551 responded in 1999. Cross-sectional and longitudinal multivariate regression models estimate the effect of two dimensions of social relationships (i.e., social exchanges and social integration) on depressive symptoms, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics.
The results indicate that unbalanced exchange increases depressive symptoms, and social integration decreases depressive symptoms. Specifically, older Brazilians who overbenefit or underbenefit from exchanges with relatives have more depressive symptoms than those with balanced exchanges. In addition, depressive symptoms are lower when an older adult who is receiving support is able to reciprocate. More intensive exchanges with relatives, being married, and satisfaction with family relationships decrease depressive symptoms, whereas living alone increases depressive symptoms.
The results highlight the relevance of social relationships to depressive symptoms among older Brazilians. In addition, the results indicate there is a nonlinear relationship between exchange balance and depressive symptoms in this population. The implications for policy are discussed.
A neglected topic in aging depression research is the potential role of the parent-adult child relationship. In this study we examined whether adult children's reports of having relied upon parents for instrumental and expressive support are associated with parents' depressive symptoms. The sample included 304 parents (aged 50-72 years), matched to a randomly selected adult offspring, from the University of Southern California Longitudinal Study of Generations. We measured parents' depressive symptoms by using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale at baseline and 3 and 6 years later. The final longitudinal analysis showed that, when we adjusted for relevant variables including age, gender, income, self-rated health, and child's depressive symptoms, the adult child's reliance on instrumental support was associated with fewer parental depressive symptoms (p =.036). Expressive support did not show the same pattern. Thus, adult children's reliance on instrumental support might contribute to their parents' mental health.
Familism is a form of social organization in which the interests of the individual are subordinated to those of the family group. A scale to measure familism is developed by employing a form of item analysis called trace line analysis. Statistically significant associations with variables expected to be related to familism support the validity of the scale. Construction of the scale is based on a sample of 764 Pennsylvania State University students. The scale can be used to study such problems as the effects of geographical and occupational mobility on generational relations and differences or similarities in rural and urban family solidarity.
This article describes development of a theory of solidarity among parents and children during the adult family life course. Four stages in the theory's development are reported here. Presented first is a taxonomy of six dimensions of intergenerational family cohesion—association, affection, consensus, resource sharing, the strength of familism norms, and the opportunity structure for interaction—reflecting conceptual contributions from classical social theory, social psychology, and family sociology. An initial formal theoretical specification of interrelationships among a subset of the six elements is reviewed, as well as two independent tests of that model. Second, a revision of the theory informed by results of the two empirical tests is presented. Third, elements of the revised theory are translated into a structural equation model, which is tested with data collected from 363 pairs of elderly parents and middle-aged adult children. These data provided support for seven of nine propositions derived from the reformulated theory. The major finding concerns interrelationships among normative integration, affection, and association. Greater endorsements of familial primacy norms by parents and children were associated with higher ratings of intergenerational affection. Greater affection was, in turn, related to more frequent association when opportunity for interaction was controlled. The fourth stage in theory development reported here includes discussion of the new results and suggestions for future conceptual and empirical work.
Demographic trends in the U.S. have produced an unprecedented number of grandparents who live long enough to see their grandchildren reach young adulthood and even middle age. In this analysis, data from the Longitudinal Study of Generations are used to identify patterns of change in grandparents' perceptions of affection and in-person contact and geographic proximity with adult grandchildren over five points of measurement between 1971 and 1994. Hierarchical linear modeling reveals quadratic trends in both growth curves. Affection declines over the first 14 years and then modestly reverses. Contact and proximity decline at an accelerating rate. Older grandparents have higher average levels of affection than younger grandparents, but they exhibit sharper rates of decline in contact and proximity over time. When cohorts are equated on age, later cohorts of grandparents decline more rapidly in contact and proximity, suggesting that the grandparent role has changed in recent history.
Although several methods have been developed to allow for the analysis of data in the presence of missing values, no clear guide exists to help family researchers in choosing among the many options and procedures available. We delineate these options and examine the sensitivity of the findings in a regression model estimated in three random samples from the National Survey of Families and Households (n = 250-2,000). These results, combined with findings from simulation studies, are used to guide answers to a set of 10 common questions asked by researchers when selecting a missing data approach. Modern missing data techniques were found to perform better than traditional ones, but differences between the types of modern approaches had minor effects on the estimates and substantive conclusions. Our findings suggest that the researcher has considerable flexibility in selecting among modern options for handling missing data.
Drawing on data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this study examined the impact of parental financial assistance on young adults' relationships with parents and well-being. Conditional change models were estimated to evaluate the effects of parental financial assistance reported in Wave 3 (ages 18 - 26) and Wave 4 (ages 24 - 32) of the study. The results (Ns ranged from 9,128 to 13,389 across outcomes) indicated that financial assistance was positively associated with changes in depressive symptoms and closeness to both mothers and fathers in both periods. Changes in self-esteem were less robustly linked to parental financial assistance. Although the observed pattern with respect to parent - child relations held regardless of the progress young people had made in the transition to adulthood, the effects for well-being, which were also relatively small in magnitude, did not. In particular, changes in depressive symptoms associated with financial assistance were concentrated among individuals occupying adult social roles.
Grandparents are increasingly playing a significant role in the lives of their grandchildren, though surprisingly little is known about what actually happens within a grandparent-grandchild relationship. Researchers have often employed variable-centered approaches to predict levels of contact or quality in grandparent-grandchild relationships, masking variations in patterns of experience. We use a person-centered clustering methodology to identify patterns in the attributes and behaviors of older Americans who describe their relationship with an adolescent grandchild. Data are drawn from the Iowa Youth and Families Project and the Iowa Single Parent Project. These data include indicators of face-to-face contact, authority and discipline, instrumental assistance, interpersonal support, intimacy, and shared activities. Five distinct clusters of grandparents emerge from the analysis, who we have identified as influential, supportive, passive, authority-oriented, and detached. These five types are differentiated by relevant social factors and have implications for the quality and closeness of the grandparent-grandchild relationship.
The CES-D scale is a short self-report scale designed to measure depressive symptomatology in the general population. The items of the scale are symptoms associated with depression which have been used in previously validated longer scales. The new scale was tested in household interview surveys and in psychiatric settings. It was found to have very high internal consistency and adequate test- retest repeatability. Validity was established by pat terns of correlations with other self-report measures, by correlations with clinical ratings of depression, and by relationships with other variables which support its construct validity. Reliability, validity, and factor structure were similar across a wide variety of demographic characteristics in the general population samples tested. The scale should be a useful tool for epidemiologic studies of de pression.
generations: family and history / emerging grandparenthood: reflections in the popular press / the changing demography of intergenerational relations / the lack of grandparent roles / grandparenthood and family continuity / grandparents and interconnected lives / toward a family systems view / grandparents as family stabilizers/ the challenge of modern grandparenthood (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
This study examines whether both parents’ relationships with their offspring, parents, and parents-in-law matter for young adults’ perceptions of closeness to grandparents. This study focuses on two groups of grandchildren (ages 18 – 23) in Wave 2 of the National Survey of Families and Households: young adults with married biological parents (N = 442) and those whose biological mother is not married to their biological father (N = 399). Findings suggest that it is important to examine grandparent-grandchild ties within a complete kinship network. Parents’ relationships with the grandchild and grandparent generations were associated with the grandparent-grandchild bond. In support of the kinkeeping perspective, mothers’ intergenerational ties across lineage lines appeared to be more influential for grandparent-grandchild relationships than fathers’.
This study examined whether grandparents perceive adult grandchildren as frequent and important contacts by analyzing network membership. It additionally examined whether this network membership is related to relationship intensity during childhood. Network membership was assessed in 1992 (397 grandparents, 1,594 adult grandchildren) and at the 20052006 follow-up (155 grandparents, 429 adult grandchildren) from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Relationship intensity during childhood was assessed in 1992. One out of 4 grandparents identified at least 1 adult grandchild in their personal network. Adult grandchildren who had an intense relationship with their grandparents during childhood were more often in grandparents' network than others. An intense relationship during childhood promotes continuation of the relationship into adulthood and might contribute to grandparent's support potential.
Family relationships across several generations are becoming increasingly important in American society. They are also increasingly diverse in structure and in functions. In reply to the widely debated “family decline” hypothesis, which assumes a nuclear family model of 2 biological parents and children, I suggest that family multigenerational relations will be more important in the 21st century for 3 reasons: (a) the demographic changes of population aging, resulting in “longer years of shared lives” between generations; (b) the increasing importance of grandparents and other kin in fulfilling family functions; (c) the strength and resilience of intergenerational solidarity over time. I also indicate that family multigenerational relations are increasingly diverse because of (a) changes in family structure, involving divorce and stepfamily relationships; (b) the increased longevity of kin; (c) the diversity of intergenerational relationship “types.” Drawing on the family research legacy of Ernest W. Burgess, I frame my arguments in terms of historical family transitions and hypotheses. Research from the Longitudinal Study of Generations is presented to demonstrate the strengths of multigenerational ties over time and why it is necessary to look beyond the nuclear family when asking whether families are still functional.
The article presents findings from a qualitative study of three-generational immigrant families from the former Soviet Union living in Israel in shared households, exploring issues of solidarity and conflict. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 30 respondents from 12 families. Seven central themes reflecting different aspects of solidarity and conflict emerged: (1) division of household chores (reflects functional and normative solidarity), (2) money management, (3) economic and housing (reflect functional solidarity), (4) emotional support, (5) involvement with intimate relations of the other generation (reflect affectual solidarity), (6) space and privacy, and (7) education of children and value transmission (reflect normative solidarity). These themes reflect the dynamics of intergenerational family relations and represent the meaning systems that these families have worked out to make sense of their shared living experiences.
This study examines the associations between grandchildren's (N = 1,170) adult role transitions and their contact with, and closeness to, grandparents, by drawing on data from Waves 2 and 3 of the National Survey of Families and Households. Findings indicate that this relationship is frequently contingent on the nature of the adult role in question, a specific dimension of intergenerational solidarity (i.e., contact vs. closeness), lineage, and grandparent's gender. The effect of grandchildren's adult roles on grandparent-grandchild ties may also differ for grandsons and granddaughters. The explanations suggested by relevant theoretical perspectives - the saliency of different roles, the similarity of life experiences between generations, and evaluations of adult role transitions - only partially account for the patterns of these associations. Future research should take into consideration the mediating role of parents, the geographic proximity, social opportunities and constraints related to grandchildren's adult roles, and grandparents' assistance for grandchildren.
Introduction General Conditions for the Randomization-Validity of Infinite-m Repeated-Imputation Inferences Examples of Proper and Improper Imputation Methods in a Simple Case with Ignorable Nonresponse Further Discussion of Proper Imputation Methods The Asymptotic Distribution of (Q̄m, Ūm, Bm) for Proper Imputation Methods Evaluations of Finite-m Inferences with Scalar Estimands Evaluation of Significance Levels from the Moment-Based Statistics Dm and Δm with Multicomponent Estimands Evaluation of Significance Levels Based on Repeated Significance Levels
In this study, the relationship between age and depression is analyzed, looking for effects of maturity, decline, life-cycle stage, survival, and historical trend. The data are from a 1990 sample of 2,031 U.S. adults and a 1985 sample of 809 Illinois adults. The results show that depression reaches its lowest level in the middle aged, at about age 45. The fall of depression in early adulthood and rise in late life mostly reflects life-cycle gains and losses in marriage, employment, and economic well-being. Depression reaches its highest level in adults 80 years old or older, because physical dysfunction and low personal control add to personal and status losses. Malaise from poor health does not create a spurious rise of measured depression in late adulthood. However, some of the differences among age groups in depression reflect higher education in younger generations, and some reflect different rates of survival across demographic groups that also vary in their levels of depression.
This study employed a large survey of young adults to consider the association between recent parental divorce and intergenerational solidarity between adult grandchildren and their grandparents. The results indicate no significant association between parental divorce and young adults' reports of affective, associational, or functional solidarity in relation to either maternal or paternal grandparents. Adult grandchildren from divorced families, however, were more likely than those from intact families to initiate contacts with their grandparents on their own, and to see their paternal grandparents without their father accompanying them. We conclude that parental divorce does not influence adult grandchild-grandparent relations because, at least in part, adult grandchildren are less dependent than young children on the middle-generation parent to facilitate this relationship.
Declining mortality over the Twentieth Century has altered the supply of older relatives in the kin networks of persons at all stages of life. Mortality decline has also changed the supply of kin for older persons. Using period life tables for selected years between 1900 and 2000, I calculate the proportion of persons who, at various stages of the life course, would have grandparents, parents, spouses, siblings and children still living. The results draw attention to the unprecedented potential for kinship ties involving older persons afforded by contemporary high survival rates.
A new grandparent identity measure is constructed that allows us to compare grandparent identity meanings with the meanings of other adult identities and to investigate the relationships between identities and well-being.
Data were collected in 1997 from 203 older grandmothers and grandfathers living in a metropolitan area. Grandparent and parent identity meanings are measured with an introductory identifier focusing attention on being a grandparent or a parent, followed by a set of 10 adjective pairs to capture identity meanings. Intergenerational family identity combined grandparent and parent identity meanings. Self-esteem and depressive symptoms serve as two indicators of well-being.
We find that there are no significant differences between grandparent and parent identity meanings and that men and women are more positive about their grandparent identities than they are about other adult identity meanings. Further, grandparent identity is significantly related to well-being when it is the only identity in the model but not when parent identity is included in another model. Finally, intergenerational family identity is positively related to well-being.
The findings confirm the expectation that grandparent identity meanings may encourage well-being. Further, the intergenerational identity reflects the overlapping meanings and experiences of being a parent and a grandparent.
This paper examines the growing demographic phenomenon of grandparent-adult grandchild relationships from the perspectives of both generations. Drawing on qualitative life-history interviews (n = 37), this research explores the subjective meanings of the relationship, as well as the experiences of being grandparents and adult grandchildren. Despite tremendous diversity in grandparent-adult grandchild relationships, including differences among and between generations, both groups in this study view one another positively and conceptualize their ties as personally and existentially meaningful. They classify their relationships as a distinct family tie centred on unconditional love, mutual support, respect, and obligation. A number of individuals also discuss their grandparent-adult grandchild relationships as friendships, involving mutual trust, shared confidences, and personal choice. Overall, this research suggests that grandparent-grandchild relationships often grow more profound and meaningful as grandparents and grandchildren age, move through the life course, and experience life events.
Findings in previous research on the association of old age and depression are inconsistent due to a confounding of age changes and cohort differences. Using data from an accelerated longitudinal design from the National Institute of Aging Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly, this study addresses three questions: (1) Does the age growth trajectory show an increase in depressive symptoms in late life? (2) Is there cohort heterogeneity in levels of depressive symptoms and age growth trajectories of depressive symptoms? (3) What social risk factors are associated with these effects? Results show evidence of substantial cohort variation in depression. There is also evidence for an age-by-cohort interaction effect. Specifically, depression declined with age more rapidly for earlier cohorts. The growth trajectories can be accounted for by factors associated with historical trends in education, life course stages, health decline, differential survival, stress, and coping resources.
Depression is an important public-health problem, and one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide. Depression is often comorbid with other chronic diseases and can worsen their associated health outcomes. Few studies have explored the effect of depression, alone or as a comorbidity, on overall health status.
The WHO World Health Survey (WHS) studied adults aged 18 years and older to obtain data for health, health-related outcomes, and their determinants. Prevalence of depression in respondents based on ICD-10 criteria was estimated. Prevalence values for four chronic physical diseases--angina, arthritis, asthma, and diabetes--were also estimated using algorithms derived via a Diagnostic Item Probability Study. Mean health scores were constructed using factor analysis and compared across different disease states and demographic variables. The relation of these disease states to mean health scores was determined through regression modelling.
Observations were available for 245 404 participants from 60 countries in all regions of the world. Overall, 1-year prevalence for ICD-10 depressive episode alone was 3.2% (95% CI 3.0-3.5); for angina 4.5% (4.3-4.8); for arthritis 4.1% (3.8-4.3); for asthma 3.3% (2.9-3.6); and for diabetes 2.0% (1.8-2.2). An average of between 9.3% and 23.0% of participants with one or more chronic physical disease had comorbid depression. This result was significantly higher than the likelihood of having depression in the absence of a chronic physical disease (p<0.0001). After adjustment for socioeconomic factors and health conditions, depression had the largest effect on worsening mean health scores compared with the other chronic conditions. Consistently across countries and different demographic characteristics, respondents with depression comorbid with one or more chronic diseases had the worst health scores of all the disease states.
Depression produces the greatest decrement in health compared with the chronic diseases angina, arthritis, asthma, and diabetes. The comorbid state of depression incrementally worsens health compared with depression alone, with any of the chronic diseases alone, and with any combination of chronic diseases without depression. These results indicate the urgency of addressing depression as a public-health priority to reduce disease burden and disability, and to improve the overall health of populations.
Intergenerational relationships and affectual solidarity between grandparents and young adults Changes in grandchildren's adult role statuses and their relationships with grandparents Depression, chronic diseases, and decrements in health: Results from the World Health Surveys
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