Factors Associated with the Positive Well-Being of Grandparents Caring for Their Grandchildren

Abstract

Prior research on grandparent caregivers has focused on stress, depression, and other negative outcomes. This paper describes research on factors that are associated with grandparents' positive well-being. In particular, it investigated the extent to which the perception of grandparental stress and grandparents' resources are associated with grandparents' well-being, after controlling for sociodemographic and health factors. A sample of 129 grandparents had individual interviews. Using a hierarchical block multiple regression analysis, the authors found that a low perception of stress related to caring for grandchildren and resources were responsible for a high level of wellbeing. The findings of this study suggest that social workers can best help grandparent caregivers by lowering their perception of stress and enhancing their informal supports and community resources. This can be incorporated into supportive, strengths-based individual or family counseling.

Indicaciones de autocuidado para el adulto mayor cuidador de niños: Una mirada desde enfermería

“…Erikson y Kivnick denominaron este aspecto como una "segunda oportunidad en la generatividad" y fue planteado también en la teoría de la continuidad (15). Otro factor positivo para los abuelos cuidadores es que puede modificar en ellos algunas conductas inapropiadas y puede intervenir en adquirir comportamientos saludables como dejar de fumar o beber por la responsabilidad que sienten de dar un buen ejemplo y de mostrar estilos de vida saludables (23), además pueden hacer sentir a estos adultos mayores que su red de apoyo aumenta al contar con su nieto.…”

“…En ocasiones los abuelos pueden funcionar como negociadores entre nieto y padre disminuyendo las tensiones que se pueden generar entre ellos (15). Otro aspecto importante en esta relación es la transmisión de la cultura a partir de prácticas realizadas por el adulto mayor, juegos, música y costumbres que el niño conoce mediante el cuidado (doble dependencia).…”

Exploring kinship care: A newly recognized age-old practice.

“…Our friends are changing (Landry-Meyer & Newman, 2006). Sands et al (2005) found a correlation between grandparents' perception of stress and their actual well-being. They suggest that grandparents can be helped through supportive, strengths-based individual, or family counseling which can assist them in reframing their situation positively and by enhancing the "resilience that is within their families, such as a sense of cohesion, financial stability, a sense of mastery, and communication" (p. 78).…”

“…In a study of predictors of grandparent carers' health status, Leder, Grinstead, and Torres (2007) found that grandparents reported considerable benefit from the emotional support they received from support groups and from their sense that someone else was in a similar situation as them. Meanwhile, Sands et al (2005) reported a negative correlation between support groups and grandparent well-being. It's been suggested that in order for a support group to be effective, there must be a balance between having members vent and having them receive new information -a lack of balance in this area could increase the anxiety of the participants and impact the effectiveness of the support group.…”

“…A study done on factors associated with positive well-being in grandparent kinship caregivers found that there was a positive correlation between respite care and well-being (Sands, Goldberg-Glen, & Thornton, 2005). It makes sense that if the caregiver experiences general well-being, that will impact positively on the care and well-being of the child.…”