Compounding Complexity: Examining Multiple Factors Leading to Challenges Within Grandfamilies

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Family Studies
• Psychology

Background:

• Custodial grandparents raising grandchildren are prevalent in the U.S.
• Grandfamilies face unique challenges in the absence of biological parents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a grounded theory for understanding grandfamily experiences.
• To provide a framework for practitioners and researchers.

Main Methods:

• Classic grounded theory methodology.
• In-depth, unstructured interviews with custodial grandparents and grandchildren from 15 grandfamilies.

Main Results:

• The emerging theory, Compounding Complexity, explains factors affecting grandfamilies.
• Three categories identified: situational, relationship, and emotional complexity.
• Conflict and change are consistent across all complexity categories.

Conclusions:

• Understanding complexity aids practitioners working with grandfamilies.
• Further research will incorporate biological parent interviews and theory application.