grandparents Flashcards
how many and some effects of kinship
Number of grandparents caring for / raising
grandchildren increasing:
~200,000 children in UK in ‘kinship care’
* Can include childcare & full-time parenting
responsibilities
* Rewarding; Lonely and exhausting
* Associated with:
* Anger / resentment (Glass & Hunneycutt, 2002)
* Mental health problems (Fuller-Thomson & Minkler, 2000)
* Financial strains & physical problems (Thomas et al., 2000)
negatives for the grandparents
Danielsbecka et al., 2022- Health and Well-being Concerns: Studies have found that custodial grandparents may experience poorer physical and mental health compared to their non-custodial counterparts. They often report higher levels of stress, depressive symptoms, and limitations in daily activities. For example, a systematic review highlighted that 68% of studies observed negative health outcomes among custodial grandparents.
how it impacts children
Psychological and Emotional Effects: The absence of biological parents can have profound emotional effects on children, including feelings of loss, abandonment, or confusion. Children in kinship care often struggle with attachment issues due to previous experiences of neglect or separation Hayslip et al., 2019. These children may also experience grief, particularly if the separation from biological parents was sudden or traumatic- this highlights how the situation of why their grandaprents and the context in which this is occuring is more important- baker et al., 2008
Caring for Grandchildren at Older Ages: Grandparents often face challenges when raising their grandchildren, including physical health limitations and generational gaps in parenting approaches. While older caregivers can provide stability and a sense of continuity, children raised by elderly grandparents may lack access to the energy, resources, and modern parenting strategies that younger parents could provide (Bullok et al., 2005).
Impact on Child’s Socialization: Research suggests that children raised by older caregivers might experience socialization difficulties, as older adults may not have the same social networks or be as involved in contemporary child-rearing practices (FIND REFERENCE). These children may be at a higher risk of isolation or may struggle with adjusting to school environments where peers have different familial structures.
Despite the challenges, children raised by grandparents or other kinship caregivers can exhibit significant resilience. Hayslip et al., 2013 found that when grandparents provide a stable, loving environment, the children’s psychological well-being can improve. Moreover, these children may benefit from the emotional bonds formed with their grandparents, particularly if the grandparent is actively involved in their upbringing and provides a nurturing home.
social support
Leder et al., 2007- Enhanced Social Support: Active involvement in support groups provides emotional support and a sense of community, which can alleviate stress and improve health outcomes. The same study noted that emotional support was a primary benefit derived from support group attendance.
Sense of Purpose and Fulfillment: Many grandparents find joy and fulfillment in caring for their grandchildren, which can positively influence their mental health and overall well-being. This caregiving role can strengthen family bonds and provide a renewed sense of purpose.
critical analysis points
Kinship caregiving, where grandparents take on the primary caregiving role for their grandchildren, presents a complex dynamic. The emotional and psychological bonds between grandparents and grandchildren can be beneficial in providing stability and a sense of family continuity. However, the complexity arises when considering that these grandparents may have limited resources and be older themselves, leading to higher stress levels and potential health problems (Leder et al., 2007).
One challenge in researching kinship care is the diversity of family structures. Grandparents may take on different roles in different contexts—some may provide full-time care, while others may only have partial involvement (Leder et al., 2007). This makes it difficult to generalize findings or develop a standardized approach to kinship caregiving.
Furthermore, research tends to focus on specific outcomes (e.g., health, stress) without fully addressing the broader social and economic factors influencing kinship care, such as poverty, social isolation, or access to resources (Yalçın et al., 2018)
and small sample sizes!
and doesn’t control for how much parental involvement
research focuses on th grandparent. more research needed to understand how this impacts the child
