Grandparents and adult grandchildren: what do they do for one another?

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.)