Identifying regional models of active grandparenting in Russia based on cluster analysis

Abstract

One of the important social roles the elderly perform is that of grandparents. Our study aims to identify groups of Russian regions with similar models of grandparental activity. The research focuses only on grandmothers. To determine these models, we applied the hierarchical cluster analysis. We used indicators that characterize potential (based on the age criterion) and active (based on intensive involvement in caring for grandchildren) grandparenting in Russian regions. In the process of clustering, we use the growth rates of active grandmothers in the total number of potential grandmothers in 2011-2014, 2014-2016, 2016-2018. The analysis based on the Ward method and the Euclidean distance allowed us to identify 4 models of grandparental activity (regarding grandmothers) in Russian regions. The models differ significantly in the specifics of changes in the degree of grandmothers' involvement in caring for their grandchildren. These models provide the framework for developing specific demographic policy measures with the regional heterogeneity in mind.