The study reported in this paper examined perception of family relations by African-American elders. Data were collected from 39 participants in senior settings using the Grandparents Strengths and Needs Inventory to identify favorable qualities and areas for further improvement. Participants also were interviewed for common themes. Grandparents…

Presents rationale for education of grandparents and format of innovative program. Discusses these elements of grandparent curriculum: sharing feelings and ideas with peers, listening to perspective of young people, studying life-span personal development, improving family communication skills, and focusing self-evaluation on relevant behavior.…

Grandparents (n=29) attended a course on changes in child rearing. Surveys of the subjects, 29 grandchildren, and 29 parents of the children showed increased satisfaction, greater success, and more effective teaching in family relationships. (SK)

Reviews the origins of grandparent education with a free course offered at senior centers and churches in Phoenix, Arizona. Describes elements of a national grandparent curriculum, which includes two courses: "Becoming a Better Grandparent" and "Achieving Grandparent Potential." Notes the curriculum's adoption in nations…

The study reported in this paper examined perception of family relations by African-American elders. Data were collected from 39 participants in senior settings using the Grandparents Strengths and Needs Inventory to identify favorable qualities and areas for further improvement. Participants also were interviewed for common themes. Grandparents…

There is considerable evidence that older people are interested in self-improvement, especially as it affects their status within the family. However, grandparents have been replaced by an array of professional advisors and surrogates. Their loss of obligation has left them with an ambiguous role. Families do a disservice to grandparents by…

In Japan 239 grandparents, 266 parents, and 274 grandchildren completed the Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory. Grandparents reported more satisfaction and involvement in teaching grandchildren than was observed by parents or grandchildren. They identified greater difficulties with their role than was reported by parents or grandchildren. A…

Conducted study to identify ethnic differences in grandparent performance and effectiveness. Compared perceptions of 204 white grandparents and 204 African-American grandparents and of 175 white and 295 African-American grandchildren. African-American grandparents perceived themselves more favorably than did white grandparents. Analyses of…

After attending 12 classes, 210 grandparents with 1 son/daughter and 1 grandchild evaluated changes in grandparent behavior and attitudes. Compared to a control group of 185, the participants showed significant improvement. Classes covered feelings and ideas, listening to younger people, lifespan development, family communications, and…

Piloted grandparent (N=400) education program that provided opportunities for grandparents to: (l) share ideas/feelings; (2) listen to children's view; (3) learn to improve family communication; (4) learn about lifespan development; and (5) focus on self-evaluation. Argues that educational needs of grandparents have been overlooked and that a…

Compared 2l0 experimental subjects receiving instruction from a curriculum for grandparents with 185 control group subjects. Evaluated changes in grandparent attitudes and behavior from Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory completed by 3 generations prior to classes, at end of intervention, and 3 months later. Findings revealed significant…

Identified strengths and needs of Japanese grandparents as perceived by three generations. Grandparents reported more satisfaction, greater success, and more extensive involvement in teaching than was observed by parents and grandchildren. Significant main effects that influenced responses about grandparent performance included generation, gender…

Describes a theory of grandparent development. African-American (n=777), Caucasian (n=1086), and Hispanic (n=672) subjects of a three-generations study were administered the Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory. Perceptions of each generation about the attitudes and behaviors of grandparents were examined. Results showed significant…

Grandparents in the Republic of China want to remain influential, but social policy has not provided them with education to fulfill their changing role. Examined the performance of grandparents to determine suitable content for an intervention program. A sample of 751 nonconsanguineous participants included 234 grandparents, 241 parents, and 276…

Describes a comparative study of self-perceived and grandchild-perceived strengths and educational needs of 204 African-American and 204 Anglo grandparents and 295 African-American and 175 Anglo grandchildren, examining how to adapt programs effective for Anglos so that they would be effective for African Americans. Recommendations are made for…