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The objective of this study was to explore what adolescent grandchildren have learned from having a grandparent who suffers dementia and what coping strategies they might recommend for other adolescents in similar situations. We also present information on background factors influencing lessons learned and coping strategies. Adolescent grandchildren living in Barcelona, Spain participated in the study (N = 138). Qualitative analysis was conducted on responses to 2 open-ended questions regarding lessons learned from having a grandparent with dementia and advice to other grandchildren facing similar situations. Five learning and 4 coping strategies emerged from the analysis. Adolescents reported about the value of life, the complexity of the life-span, and changes in personal characteristics such as patience and responsibility as a result of the experience. Advice to other adolescents primarily focused on accepting the dementia as well as acquiring behavioral coping strategies. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that type of care grandparent receives--day center versus nursing home--and age of the adolescent influenced lessons learned and coping strategies. Implications for the developmental tasks of the grandchild during adolescence are discussed.

This paper examines the intergenerational stake hypothesis in the grandparent-grandchild relationship. The hypothesis predicts that older generations will perceive more closeness in a relationship than younger generations. Grandparent-grandchild dyads are surveyed concerning various aspects of their relationship. Using measures of closeness and an established typology of grandparent-grandchild relationship style (Cherlin & Furstenberg, 1985), the study finds that grandparents perceive their relationship with their grandchildren to be considerably closer than their grandchildren perceive the relationship. However, their grandchildren perceive the relationship to be more active than their grandparents do. Explanations of these findings consistent with the intergenerational stake hypothesis are advanced. It is found that the two parties often disagree as to the nature of their relationship on the Cherlin and Furstenberg typology. Details of these disagreements are examined in detail, and implications for the grandparent-grandchild relationship are discussed.

More than one in ten American grandparents raise a grandchild for at least six months, with most of these providing care for three years or more. This longitudinal study, utilizing data from the National Survey of Families and Households, identifies the pre-existing personal characteristics and contextual variables which are predictive of individuals becoming primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Contrary to hypothesis, pre-caregiving attitudes concerning intergenerational solidarity bore little relationship to the likelihood of becoming a caregiver. In contrast, being female, younger, African American, and having not completed high school were significantly predictive of becoming a custodial grandparent. Implications of these findings for research, practice, and policy in gerontology, mental health, and related areas are discussed.

Objectives. This study explores how various aspects of a grandparent's religiousness are related to involvement with their grandchildren. Methods. The study ascertains whether religious grandparents are significantly more involved with their grandchildren than less religious grandparents by testing a series of bivariate and multivariate regression models. Multiple measures both of religiousness and of grandparent involvement are used. The study also examines factors that potentially confound, link, or explain the connection between religious involvement and grandparenting (e.g., demographic factors, health, community involvement, traditional values, ties to others). The sample of 585 grandparents comes from two related studies of rural families, the Iowa Youth and Families Project and the Iowa Single Parent Project. Results. Overall, the results indicate that religious grandparents are more involved grandparents, and this involvement is explained in part by their generally greater involvement in all types of family and social ties--religious grandparents are more likely to be enmeshed in social ties to others. Discussion. The implications of these findings are discussed in light of prior research that finds little influence of religion. We also consider the implications of our results for the future of grandparent involvement.

This study examines the processes linking physical impairment with symptoms of anxiety. Analyses are based on a representative sample of 967 physically disabled adults (ages 20 to 90) from ten counties of southwestern Ontario, Canada. Several hypotheses test the intervening role of disability characteristics, perceived health care efficacy, personal attributes, and social stratification resources. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses included sets of those intervening variables entered sequentially. Adjustment produces a significant reduction in the association between symptoms of anxiety and impairment- confirming the intervening role of healthcare efficacy and mastery. Moreover, impairment and mastery have synergistic effects such that higher mastery buffers against the anxiety associated with higher impairment. Other findings raise important questions about age, impairment, and the sense of mastery in the contest of healthcare and gender.

A theory of grandparent development is described that includes the formulation of assumptions, goals for guiding instruction, curriculum design, and a measurement tool to assess learning needs and evaluate the effects of educational intervention. Cultural considerations are illustrated by a three generational study of African-American (n = 777), Caucasian (n = 1086), and Hispanic (n = 672) subjects who were administered the Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory. Perceptions of each generation about the attitudes and behaviors of grandparents were examined with multivariate analysis of variance and post-hoe comparisons to analyze the scores, confirm results, and facilitate interpretation of findings. Results showed significant differences between generations and within cultures. Each generation identified elements of grandparent success as well as issues that deserve consideration in building educational programs.

In a community-defined, epidemiologic sample in East Baltimore, we examined grandmothers' rates of co-residence and their involvement in four parenting activities. Co-residence rates exceeded the national average. Six types of family households with grandmothers were identified, and their frequency varied by race. Neither grandmother age nor employment was associated with grandmothers' parenting involvement, although family structure was. Grandmothers who were the sole parent (21%) or co-parent with a grandfather (6.5%) were most involved in child care and had the fewest number of helpers. Grandmothers living with single mothers (41%) were the next most involved, while grandmothers in mother/father households (9%) were least involved. Key Words: Grandparents, Parenting, Grandparent role

This study examines the developmental stake hypothesis as it relates to changing perceptions of intergenerational relations among members of multigenerational families. The data come from the first two waves (1971 and 1985) of a longitudinal study of multigenerational family members (N = 1,057). We find strong support for the developmental stake hypothesis since, at both time periods, parents (both G1s and G2s) saw less distance in their relations with their children (both G2s and G3s). In addition, all respondents perceived less distance between the G2-G3 generations over time. We also found several gender differences in perceptions of family ties. Contrary to our expectations, only G1 respondents perceived less distance between generations in society in 1985 as compared to 1971. Key Words: Parent-adult child relations, Grandparent-grandchild relations, Developmental stake, Intergenerational stake, Intergenerational relations

Why do adolescents value their grandparents? This was the leading question of an investigation among 563 adolescents and young adults in Flanders (Belgium). The Grandparent Meaning Scale which probes eleven a priori dimensions of meaning, was completed by 147 early adolescents (M = 12.5 years), 175 middle adolescents (M = 15.7 years), and 241 late adolescents (M = 18.9 years). Results show that adolescents generally find their grandparents important and feel close to them. Grandparents are valued primarily because they provide affection, reassurance of worth, and reliable alliance. Relational-affective and caregiving meanings were assigned more often to grandmothers whereas advising, teaching, and narrative roles were ascribed more frequently to grandfathers. Maternal grandparents were generally perceived as more important and closer than paternal grandparents. Early adolescents assigned more importance and meaning to their grandparents than middle and late adolescents. There were no differences between grandsons and granddaughters.

Changes in family and friendship networks of 71 African American grandmothers raising grandchildren as a consequence of the crack-cocaine epidemic are examined. Despite continued strong social ties, many of the women reported decreased contact with family and friends other than confidantes and a decline in marital satisfaction. Implications of the findings for research, policy, and practice are discussed.

Old people held a central position in traditional Jewish-Oriental family and society. After immigration to Israel this changed within a very short time, as Israel's Western-style society is not based upon the authority of the elder generation. Often this change was accompanied by the development of negative attitudes toward the aged, appearing in many families as disrespect and even as physical neglect of parents. But in other families the traditional attitudes of honoring the elder generation were retained, although in them too the rise of the nuclear family led to loss of power and importance formerly held by the aged members. The changing attitudes within the family are reflected in discussions by disadvantaged soldiers of Oriental origin in classes for basic training in the Israeli army and by answers of fifth-grade children to questions on their relations with their grandparents.

The article reports on a study which explored the relationship female undergraduates and student nurses experienced with their maternal and paternal grandmothers. In addition, the article identifies some of the factors closely associated with the relationship, considers the role played by grandmothers with regard to their granddaughters and examines differences in granddaughters' perceptions of maternal and paternal grandmothers. The results highlight the intimate relationship between granddaughter and grandmother. When compared to paternal grandmothers, maternal grandmothers were perceived by granddaughters to be emotionally closer, provide a greater sense of security, be more influential in shaping their beliefs and were more likely to be preferred. They were also found to play a more active role in granddaughters' lives.

While the role of the grandfather in the family network is less clearly defined than that of the grandmother, it is nonetheless important. Aside from their functional and psychological significance, grandfathers serve as role models and dispensers of wisdom. Some studies have linked active grandfathers to developmental growth in young children. The importance of grandfathers has reciprocal benefits. In the present study, racial differences in the centrality of the grandfather role were examined. Subjects were rural men aged 65 years and older. The 48 black and 51 white men were asked about their association (levels and types of activity) with the grandchild with whom they had the most contact. Information about help given and help received was elicited, as was information about a variety of socioeconomic variables. It was hypothesized that the grandfather would play a more central role in black than white families, and that predictors of interaction would be subject to racial differences. The hypotheses were confirmed. When economic and structural (i.e., household makeup) factors were controlled for, race emerged as the primary variable accounting for the more central role of grandfathers in black families. Overall, the role of grandfathers was related more to affection than function. Evidence is therefore provided for a cultural, as opposed to an economic/structural, base for the grandfather role. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

It has been estimated that roughly one half of all children spend some time in the household of a single parent, as a result of the divorce rate and other factors. The impact of divorce must also be having an effect upon the grandparents, not only in their relationships with their children, but with their grandchildren as well. To assess both the positive and negative aspects of the changing grandparental role in the upbringing of children, especially children of single mothers, a study of 52 married and 17 divorced or separated mothers was conducted. The mothers were asked to discuss both the best and worst things about grandparental involvement in their families. It was found that on the one hand, single mothers valued their own mothers' support and assistance above all, but at the same time, these mothers listed interference and unsolicited advice as the worst things about the grandparents of their children. Thus, it appears that grandparents whose children are single mothers may be in something of a double bind, requiring them to act with extreme diplomacy. For while they are appreciated when they help, when their advice is unsought they are not appreciated. It is noted that grandparents may be playing a greater role in the upbringing of children of single mothers. In order to avoid the double bind induced by the conflict of perceived roles, grandparents would do well to clarify with their children their intentions regarding the upbringing of the grandchildren. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Grandchildren are a significant part of the social support system of their grandparents. A study was conducted of 118 noninstitutionalized Jewish grandparents with at least one adult grandchild. This was undertaken to assess the degree of both emotional (expressive) and tangible (instrumental) support between grandparent and child, and the extent to which that support was reciprocal (equivalent) or nonreciprocal (imbalanced). Questionnaires were completed by the grandparents indicating the extent of expressive support (such as telephoning, letter writing, visiting, exchanging gifts, and giving advice) and instrumental support (such as help with transportation, bureaucratic red tape, personal care, shopping, meal preparation and household chores) that they gave and received. The grandparents' attitude was measured by inquiring whether they wanted to do or to receive more, about the same, or less support. The grandparents' perception of reciprocity was a relationship in which they receive more than they give. On that basis, it was determined that the majority of grandparent-adult grandchild relationships, are not reciprocal in either expressive or instrumental support, despite the fact that the adult grandchildren give more expressive and instrumental support to the grandparent than they receive from the grandparent. The study concluded that adult grandchildren are a significant source of emotional support for their grandparents; this support is an important part of the grandparents' total social support system. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Belief that the extended family is in terminal decline has proved to be a remarkably persistent myth. It is currently being revived as a result of recent statistical trends. The belief has been closely connected to sociological enquiries undertaken over the course of the century. The validity of' the belief, and in particular the significance of grandparents within the extended family, is explored in two sets of life story interviews recently undertaken with adults in Britain; one set are people in their thirties who had become step-children, and the second set participants in a multi-generational study of social mobility. The analysis addresses questions of contact after parental loss, sources of support within the family, the involvement of grandparents, the importance of co-residence, conflict, emotional closeness and communication within a family. KEY WORDS - Extended family, grandparents, life stories, parental loss, co-residence, support.

Purpose: This study sought to determine the prevalence and profile of grandparents providing extensive care for a grandchild (grandparents who provide 30+ hours per week or 90+ nights per year of child care, yet are not the primary caregiver of the grandchild). Design and methods: Secondary analysis of the 3,260 grandparent respondents in the 1992-94 National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH). Extensively caregiving grandparents were compared with custodial grandparents (those with primary responsibility for raising a grandchild for 6+ months), noncaregivers, occasional caregivers ([is less than] 10 hours per week), and intermediate caregivers using chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance tests, and logistic regression analyses. Results: Close to 7% of all grandparents provided extensive caregiving, as did 14.9% of those who had provided any grandchild care in the last month. Extensive caregivers most closely resembled custodial caregivers and had least in common with those grandparents who never provided child care. Implications: Areas for future research, policy, and practice are highlighted, including the potential impact of welfare reform legislation on extensively caregiving grandparents. Key Words: Family child care, Grandparent caregiving, Later-life families

More grandparents are raising grandchildren than ever before. The predictable problems they experience include a revision of personal goals; learning how growing up has changed since they raised their own children; cooperating with the parent who shares responsibility for child care; monitoring social and academic progress of children; becoming aware of rights and available social services; and arranging periodic relief from the daily demands of their surrogate obligations. Full-time grandparents often rely on support groups for comfort and advice. The advantages and limitations of this approach are examined. Recommendations are made for ways to improve how support groups function so they can achieve their purposes.

The current study addressed the sharing of traditions, beliefs, and customs (i.e., culture) between grandparents and grandchildren. Two hundred and forty-six adult grandchildren were surveyed on both existing and newly created measures of grandparenting. Results indicated that extent of shared activities, attitudes toward grandparents, and perceptions of cultural sharing were significantly related. Additionally, it was found that minority and female participants were more likely to engage in intergenerational culture sharing and reported more positive statements about this sharing in response to open-ended questions. Findings highlights the importance of cultural sharing to perceptions of grandchild-grandparent relationships.

The majority of research on grandparenting has taken the perspective of either the grandparent or the grandchild. The present study compares the perceptions of grandparents and grandchildren on four relationship variables: 1) role conception, 2) amount of contact, 3) the assessed adequacy of contact, and 4) closeness of relationship. The sample consisted of forty grandparent-grandchild pairs representing four relational dyads. A series of ANOVAs were used to examine gender and relational differences in perceptions. Increased understanding of the dynamics of grandparent-grandchild relationships can benefit professionals who develop intergenerational programs. Creating opportunities to interact across a spectrum of activities is recommended.

This cross-sectional study compared three groups of custodial grandparents, those raising problematic grandchildren, those raising 'normal' grandchildren, and noncustodial grandparents to identify the unique challenges and expectations faced by custodial grandparents due to their nontraditional roles while attempting to disentangle grandparental role demands from child-specific problems as sources of distress. Those grandparents raising grandchildren demonstrating neurological, physical, emotional, or behavioral problems exhibited the most distress, the most disruption of roles, and the most deteriorated grandparent-grandchild relationships. Although custodial grandparents raising apparently normal grandchildren demonstrated less distress, less disruption of roles, and less deterioration of the grandparent-grandchild relationship than those grandparents raising grandchildren displaying problems, in these respects, they still demonstrated higher such levels than did traditional grandparents.

This article contrasts the experiences of 398 White and 319 Black grandmothers raising their grandchildren in the absence of the middle generation. Similarities include age, education, familial relationship to the grandchild, age of the grandchild being raised, reasons that grandmothers are raising their grandchildren, behaviors characteristic of the grandchildren, and impacts on the grandmother's work life. Differences include marital status, work status, and income. Black grandmothers are more likely than White grandmothers to have peers who also live with their grandchildren. Black grandmothers are also more likely to come from families in which multiple generations lived together and to be receiving support from formal sources. White grandmothers experienced more burden from their caregiving role than did Black grandmothers. Key Words: Custodial grandparents, Race