The purpose of this qualitative single case study is to explore one grandmother's experience with voluntary kinship care and child welfare services. Voluntary kinship care is pursued as a viable option when out-of-home placement is imminent. Research indicates that voluntary kinship care, as an alternative living arrangement, helps to maintain…

Examined stepgrandchild-stepgrandparent relationship through exploratory study of college student stepgrandchildren (N=54). Studied the quantity of interaction, satisfaction with this interaction, stepgrandchildren's perception of the stepgrandparent role, the appropriate behaviors stepgrandchildren expect of stepgrandparents, and relationship…

Interviews with 32 grandparents of children with disabilities found that few knew in advance about the disability. Most provided emotional and financial support; they were concerned about their grandchild's future and the stress experienced by the child's parents. They received support from family more than from support groups or counseling. (SK)

Examined strengths of intergenerational kin dyads (grandparent-grandchild, grandparent-parent, aunt/uncle-niece-nephew) as rated by recipients of kin investment (adult grandchildren or nieces/nephews), noting that affectional ties between cultural model and recipient facilitates cross-generational cultural transmission. Relationship structures…

This paper examines the growing demographic phenomenon of grandparent-adult grandchild relationships from the perspectives of both generations. Drawing on qualitative life-history interviews (n = 37), this research explores the subjective meanings of the relationship, as well as the experiences of being grandparents and adult grandchildren.…

This study explored the appropriateness of kinship care placements by examining the adjustment of 46 children, most of whom were Caucasian, in their grandparents' care. Members of support groups for grandparents who are raising grandchildren were solicited for participation in the study. All participants were the primary caregivers of at least one…

This book explores grandparenting at a time when roles and challenges facing grandparents are changing. Chapter one addresses "Grandparents in a Changing World" and describes grandparenting styles. Chapter two focuses on the "Unfinished Business between Adult Children and their Parents" and how a grandchild complicates this…

There has been an increase in the number of children being raised by their grandparents. As these grandparents take on the primary parenting responsibilities of their grandchildren, they are being deprived of a wholesome and more typical grandparent-grandchild relationship. Many of these children are born to drug-addicted parents or to parents who…

Relationships with grandchildren are a normative experience of middle and later adulthood, and a correlate of mental health. This study was conducted to explore associations between grandparents' views of their relationship with a grandchild and their reports of their own and their children's influence upon contact with the grandchild.…

A recent study of grandparents who were caring for their young grandchildren on a regular basis has prompted an examination of what appears to be a paradox surrounding the provision of childcare services within Australia. The paradox reflects concerns surrounding the balance between a commitment to high-quality childcare services for children and…

Examined hypothesis that, when grandmother-granddaughter contact is low, grandmother-granddaughter relationship is mediated by middle generation and, when contact is high, grandmother-granddaughter relationship is direct and bypasses middle generation. Data from 126 young adult granddaughter-mother-grandmother triads support hypothesis when…

Discusses the socialization of values from a sociohistorical perspective. Argues that value similarities between grandparents and grandchildren are a result of skipped generations being socialized within similar phases of the Kondratieff Wave. Consequently, they bear analogous historical imprints and share common outlooks. Includes a review by…

Interviewed 301 grandparents concerning their relationship with one grandchild. Findings revealed no differences in relationship associated with grandchild gender or with maternal/paternal grandparent status; nor were there significant interaction effects. Grandmothers expressed greater satisfaction than did grandfathers; grandfathers stressed…

Examines differences between rural farm and nonfarm families on the extent and quality of relationships between adolescents and their grandparents, with emphasis on linking relationships. Grandchildren in farm families have more contact with grandparents and rate the quality of their relationship higher, particularly with paternal grandparents.…

College students (n=391) answered questions concerning relationships with their closest grandparent. Responses validated five elements of quality as being associated with successful relationships: fairly high degree of closeness; strong sense of being known by grandparent; strong sense of knowing grandparent; sense of grandparent being fairly…