Grandparenthood and Mental Health: Implications for the Practitioner
- 1 December 1990
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of Applied Gerontology
- Vol. 9 (4) , 464-479
- https://doi.org/10.1177/073346489000900407
Abstract
Goals of this study were (a) to examine associations between grandparenthood and grandparents' levels of mental health and (b) to consider the implications of these patterns of association for practice. In structured interviews, grandparents ( N = 301) discussed their relationship with one of their grandchildren; measures of mental health (morale, life-satisfaction, and self-esteem) were also administered during interviews. Reactions to the relationship with the grandchild were among the significant predictors of scores on the mental health measures. It is concluded that understanding relationships with grandchildren can provide insight into middle-aged and older adults' general feelings of adjustment. Suggestions for incorporating reactions to grandparenthood into therapy are offered.This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit:
- Active and Latent Functions of Grandparenting During the Divorce ProcessThe Gerontologist, 1988
- Mental Health Center Services for the Elderly: The Impact of Coordination with Area Agencies on AgingThe Gerontologist, 1987
- Differences in Psychologists' Ratings of Older and Younger ClientsThe Gerontologist, 1987
- Gender differences in satisfaction with grandparenting.Psychology and Aging, 1986
- Grandparenthood: An Overview of Meaning and Mental HealthThe Gerontologist, 1982
- Grandmotherhood: A Study of Role ConceptionsJournal of Marriage and Family, 1977
- Society and the Adolescent Self-ImagePublished by Walter de Gruyter GmbH ,1965
- The Changing American GrandparentJournal of Marriage and Family, 1964
- The Measurement of Life SatisfactionJournal of Gerontology, 1961
- The Parental Responsibilities of GrandparentsMarriage and Family Living, 1954