Factors Associated with Stress Among Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren^*

Abstract

This cross-sectional study of 129 grandparents raising their grandchildren examined the extent to which social supports are related to the grandparents' stress (psychological anxiety). A hierarchical regression analysis, with variables entered in blocks, revealed that contextual factors, stressors related to caregiving, and lack of supports accounted for 35% of the variance. Younger grandparents, grandchildren with psychological and physical problems, and low family cohesion were associated with stress. Implications for clinical and educational intervention are discussed.

Grandparents as Caregivers: Emerging Issues for the Profession

“…Sands and Goldberg-Glen, (2000) found that the most common reasons grandparents cared for grandchildren were substance abuse (71%), child neglect (60%), parent inability to care for child (60%), psychological problem (56%), financial problem (50%), and child abandonment (45%). Typically, it is assumed that grandparents care for grandchildren due to the death of a parent, incarceration, mental health, or health conditions related HIV or AIDS.…”

How Caregiving for Grandchildren Affects Grandmothers’ Meaningful Occupations

“…Grandparents with formal and informal social connections were less apt to experience psychological stress (Musil & Ahmad, 2002;Sands & Goldberg-Glen, 2000).…”

Revisiting the social construction of family in the context of work

“…Diminishing social welfare afforded to families (Iceland & Kim, 2001) and increased proportions of single parent families (Cooksey, Menaghan, & Jekielek, 1997) account in part for a growing need for the care services of grandparents. Teen pregnancy, parental substance abuse, imprisonment, mental and/or physical illness, death, or abuse and neglect of their children may result in grandparents assuming primary responsibility for their grandchildren (Sands & Goldberg-Glen, 2000). Such traumatic circumstances may result in these grandchildren experiencing unique emotional, psychological, and/or physical needs.…”

“…Younger grandparents, who are still experiencing demands from the workplace as well as from their caregiving responsibilities, are apt to experience more depression and psychological anxiety Sands & Goldberg-Glen, 2000). A lack of available support is another key factor contributing to the stress of grandparent caregivers.…”

“…A lack of available support is another key factor contributing to the stress of grandparent caregivers. Low family cohesion, poor grandparent health, and grandchildren with psychological and physical problems have been associated with psychological anxiety and depression, while the use of professional counseling and special school programs is related to lower levels of stress Ross & Aday, 2006;Sands & Goldberg-Glen, 2000).…”