Living with grandma - A grandfamily study

    Authors

    O. W. Edwards

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Sch. Psychol. Int.

    Keywords

    GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN; SOCIAL SUPPORT; KINSHIP CARE; CHILDREN; ADOLESCENCE; Psychology, Educational

    Abstract

    In recent years, large numbers of grandparents have become full-time surrogate parents to their grandchildren. These grandparents and grandchildren often have serious problems that may require assistance from schools and mental health professionals. The term 'grandfamily' is used to, easily identify families where grandparents raise children because their biological parents can no longer care for them. 'Grandkin' are children and 'supergrands' are the grandparents in these grandfamilies. Grandparents who raise their grandchildren tend to have elevated levels of stress that negatively impact their well-being. School personnel report 'grandkin' also experience behavioural, emotional And academic problems at school. In light of the substantial needs of 'grandfamilies' and the lack of data about 'grandkin,' this article provides a first step in describing the major challenges experienced by a grandson and his grandmother. This 'grandfamily' encounters serious economic, emotional and educational stressors. Both the grandson and grandmother experience difficulty functioning under the pressure of stressors and would benefit from an integrated intervention approach based in the home, school and their faith organization.

    Journal Title

    School Psychology International

    Volume

    24

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2003

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    204

    Last Page

    217

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000183006400005

    ISSN

    0143-0343

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