Strengths and Needs of Black Grandparents

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify ethnic differences in grandparent performance and effectiveness so that an educational program called Becoming A Better Grandparent could be adapted to maximize its relevance for Black families. MANOVA procedures were used to compare perceptions of 204 Anglo grandparents and 204 Black grandparents as well as 175 Anglo and 295 Black grandchildren. Black grandparents perceived themselves more favorably than did Anglos on every subscale of the Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory. Black grandchildren assigned grandparents significantly more favorable ratings for teaching and overall success, whereas Anglo grandchildren assigned their grandparents higher scores for coping with difficulty, managing frustration, and meeting information needs. Analyses of grandparent responses revealed significant main effects for age of grandparent, age of grandchild, time spent together, and geographical proximity. Grandchildren responses yielded significant main effects for age of grandchild and time spent together. Findings showed interaction effects for ethnicity by age of grandparent, ethnicity by age of grandchild, and ethnicity by distance. Implications for modifying the program to fit Black grandparents were identified.

Extended families and adolescent well-being

“…The finding of no significant overall association between grandparent co-residence and depressive symptoms is consistent with previous research [12,28]. The finding that black adolescents with co-resident grandparents are less depressed than their nonblack counterparts is consistent with findings that, among Blacks, grandparents with more frequent contact with their grandchildren have more influence on them [14]. Thus, grandparents' presence is related to less adolescent deviance overall, and less depressive symptoms among Blacks.…”

“…Researchers have found that grandparents with more frequent contact with their grandchildren are able to exhibit more parent-like behavior, such as providing advice and discipline, and have more influence on their grandchildren [12,13]. This has been found to be especially so for Blacks [14]. In addition, the presence of another adult in motheronly families has been found to increase control over adolescents to levels closer to those in two-parent homes [15].…”

Attitudes toward older adults: The perceived value of grandparent as a social role

“…This result is consistent with previous findings in which African American, as compared to white, grandchildren regarded their grandparents as more successful in their grandparenting role (Strom, Collinsworth, & Strom, 1992) and expected their grandparents to provide more discipline, guidance, and instrumental support (Kennedy, 1990). Traditionally, African American grandmothers have been described as family matriarchs (Burton & Bengtson, 1985), providing support, guidance, and, when necessary, surrogate parenting.…”

African-Americans in Senior Settings: On the Need for Educating Grandparents

“…African-Americans also have been subjected to stereotyping and prejudice. Older African-Americans who grew up before the passing 288 R. Strom et al and implementation of civil rights legislation have experienced even greater prejudice than younger family members (Strom, Collinsworth, Strom & Griswold, 1993).…”