Intergenerational triads in skipped-generation grandfamilies

Area of Science:

• Family Studies
• Developmental Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Increasing numbers of children are raised by grandparents, forming skipped-generation grand-families.
• Understanding the dynamics of these family structures is crucial for child and caregiver well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine core family relationships (grandmother-child, grandmother-parent, parent-child) in skipped-generation grand-families.
• To determine how different patterns of relationship closeness impact the well-being of grandmothers and grandchildren.

Main Methods:

• Mixed methods study involving 459 grandmothers.
• Analysis of statements regarding core family relationships.
• Classification of families into intergenerational triad types based on relationship closeness: triple-bonded, double-bonded, single-bonded, and not-bonded.

Main Results:

• Grandmother well-being steadily declined from triple-bonded (highest) to not-bonded (lowest) families.
• Grandchildren's well-being was lowest when they lacked a firm bond with either the grandmother or parent.
• Children showed resilience and did well if close to their grandmother, even with substance-abusing, emotionally distant parents.

Conclusions:

• Strong intergenerational bonds, particularly with the grandmother, are vital for the well-being of children in skipped-generation households.
• Grandmother well-being is directly linked to the quality of all three core family relationships.
• Quality grandparent care can buffer the negative effects of parental neglect and substance abuse on child development.