Identifying and Addressing the Needs of Children in Grandparent Care

Scarcella, Cynthia Andrews; Ehrle, Jennifer; Geen, Rob

doi:10.1037/e691412011-001

Cited by 16 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Children who were under the care of non-relatives reported the worse psychological outcomes than those under the care of other type of caregivers (i.e., surviving parent, grandparents, and other relatives). The finding is consistent with results of several previous studies that a child living with relatives was better than living with non-relatives when their parents were not able to take care of the children (Dubowitz et al 1994; Safman, 2004; Scarcella et al, 2003). …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Children who lost their parents to HIV/AIDS might have experienced many traumatic events in their lives. Yet research suggests that living with a relative such as a grandparent rather than with a non-relative may minimize the trauma by providing the child with an increased sense of stability and family support (Dubowitz et al, 1994; Scarcella, Ehrle, & Geen, 2003). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Family-based care and psychological problems of AIDS orphans: Does it matter who was the care-giver?

Zhao

et al. 2010

Psychology, Health & Medicine

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The purpose of this study is to compare psychological symptoms among double AIDS orphans (i.e., children who lost both of their parents to HIV/AIDS) who were in the care of different family-based caregivers (i.e., surviving parent, grandparents, other relatives, & non-relatives) before they were replaced in orphanages.The participants include 176 double AIDS orphans from four AIDS orphanages in rural China. Prior to being replaced in AIDS orphanages, these children had received family-based care by different caregivers, which included surviving parent (38%), grandparents (22%), other relatives (19%) and non-relatives (22%). The psychological measures include traumatic symptoms, depression, and loneliness. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses suggested that children who were previously cared for by non-relatives scored significantly higher in traumatic symptoms, depression and loneliness scales than children who were previously cared for by their surviving parent, grandparents, and other relatives. The children in the care of grandparents reported the best scores on all psychological measures among children in the care of non-parent relatives. Multivariate analysis, controlling for children's gender, age, length in orphanages, number of household replacements, and total duration of replacement, revealed that the type of caregivers was significantly associated with psychological problems.Results in the current study suggest that children under the care of their grandparents reported the best psychological outcomes when their parents were unable to care for them because of AIDS. Appropriate psychological support and counseling services are needed for AIDS orphans who were either currently or previously under non-relative family-based care in China.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family-based care and psychological problems of AIDS orphans: Does it matter who was the care-giver?

Zhao

et al. 2010

Psychology, Health & Medicine

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“…Studies have suggested that workers in community agencies may not be aware of available assistance and may have denied services to custodial grandparents that should have been granted (Cox, 2009;Scarcella, Ehrle, & Geen, 2003;Storm & Storm, 2011;USDHHS, Administration for Children and Families, 2007). Since policies can only be executed through programs that have trained staff, agencies should ensure that workers understand the eligibility criteria and programs that can be accessed by custodial grandparents (Cox, 2009).…”

Section: Educational Needs Of Providers and Grandparentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Custodial Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Lack of Legal Relationship Is a Barrier for Services

Etten¹,

Gautam²

2012

J Gerontol Nurs

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In the United States, the majority of custodial grandparents are raising their grandchildren without a legal relationship. The lack of a legal relationship (i.e., foster care, custody, adoption) is a barrier for obtaining services and has resulted in limited access to information and public services, inadequate financial assistance, and difficulty providing medical and educational consent. This situation arises not only as a consequence of eligibility criteria, but also because children being raised by custodial grandparents remain outside the child welfare system. Federal and state policies were not designed for this population; subsequently, the majority of grandparent caregivers remain without access to services and support. In this article, perceptions of custodial grandparents concerning family obligations and the child welfare system as a barrier to pursuing a legal relationship are reviewed. Challenges with existing financial and health services, educational needs of grandparents and providers, and suggestions for policy changes are presented.

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“…Previous studies suggest financial hardship, housing limitations, lack of transportation and day care, and inadequate material grandparents also have concerns about meeting their grandchildren's special needs. Prenatal exposure to illicit substances and alcohol, coupled with poor parental functioning following birth, increase grandchildren's risks for emotional, physical, and developmental problems (Scarcella, Macomber, & geen, 2003;Whitley & Kelley, 2008). Accessing public welfare services and benefits is often necessary to address their grandchildren's needs.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of Family Empowerment in African American Custodial Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren: Thoughts for Research and Practice

Whitley¹,

Kelley²,

Campos

2011

Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Service

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empowerment practice is an approach to help marginalized families reduce their sense of powerlessness. the present study explores empowerment practice with a sample of low-income african american custodial grandmothers. it specifically describes how the effects of a strengthsbased community service program influenced caregivers' sense of empowerment. Using the Family empowerment scale, the results suggest that the service intervention supports the empowerment dimensions and three subscales (knowledge, advocacy, and self-efficacy); the results did not support the competency subscale. although all age groups experienced an increase in empowerment, older grandmothers had significant differences in perceptions regarding social systems, as well as a sense of competency as compared with younger grandmothers. implications for service delivery and future research are presented.imPliCations FoR PRaCtiCe •Practitioners working with custodial grandmothers should consider incorporating combined home-based and group services to affect participants' sense of empowerment.

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Identifying and Addressing the Needs of Children in Grandparent Care

Cited by 16 publications

References 8 publications

Family-based care and psychological problems of AIDS orphans: Does it matter who was the care-giver?

Family-based care and psychological problems of AIDS orphans: Does it matter who was the care-giver?

Custodial Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Lack of Legal Relationship Is a Barrier for Services

Perceptions of Family Empowerment in African American Custodial Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren: Thoughts for Research and Practice

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