Are perceptions of grandparenthood related to family and life satisfaction? A study with emerging adults

Abstract

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.

How Grandparents Inform Our Lives: A Mixed Methods Investigation of Intergenerational Influence on Young Adults

“…For participants in both grandparent type groups, parents often set the tone for the grandparent–grandchild relationship by modeling patterns of interaction throughout participants’ lives. This finding aligns with research suggesting family satisfaction acts as a mediator between young adults’ perceived grandparent roles and life satisfaction (Miguel et al, 2021 ) and parents play a critical role in the grandparent–adult grandchild relationship (Monserud, 2011 ).…”

“If She’s Sad, I’m Sad Too” Emotional Closeness Between French Grandparents and Emerging Adult Grandchildren

“…While grandparents and grandchildren tended to focus their discourse on what foster their emotional closeness, the development of romantic relationships among emerging adults was the only element that was reported as affecting emotional closeness in the relationship, and was systematically initiated by the grandparent. This emotional distance is in line with the norm of non-interference among grandparents (e.g., Kemp, 2004; Monserud, 2011), notwithstanding, we can wonder if it satisfies emerging adults and their grandparents especially as a grandparental support was shown to enhance emerging adults’ life satisfaction (Miguel et al, 2021). Finally, both mentioned the possible pooling of their networks of contacts, giving them both the role of social agent.…”

From Supportive to Strained: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Emerging Adults’ Characterizations of Past and Present Grandparent-Grandchild Roles and Relationships

“…These recent findings highlight the well-substantiated influence of gender, both of the grandchild and grandparent, in relational outcomes (e.g., Barnett et al, 2010; MaloneBeach et al, 2018). Miguel et al (2021) also found that considering one’s grandparent to be a counselor and enjoying their grandparental relationships were positively associated with individual and family satisfaction.…”

“…In their investigation of “good” grandparenting qualities, MaloneBeach et al (2018) found that university students in the midwestern United States linked the amount of support received in the past and present to grandparent quality. Similarly, grandparental support and advising were perceived as valuable traits by Portuguese university students, though the “advisor” role held more weight for grandsons than granddaughters, who in turn preferred their grandparents to act as “friends” (Miguel et al, 2021). These recent findings highlight the well-substantiated influence of gender, both of the grandchild and grandparent, in relational outcomes (e.g., Barnett et al, 2010; MaloneBeach et al, 2018).…”

“…Through interviews with emerging adults in the United Kingdom, Sciplino and Kinshott (2019) found that aspects of the grandparent-grandchild relationship (e.g., support, contact, attitude, and emotion) shift from childhood to adulthood, though the basis of the relationship remains constant. Several European studies have demonstrated that, though the amount and type of contact inevitably change as grandchildren transition into adulthood (often with less contact and practical support), the closeness and importance of the relationship may not deviate and can actually increase (Miguel et al, 2021; Sciplino & Kinshott, 2019; Wetzel & Hank, 2020).…”