Grandparent-Adult Grandchild Relationships: Development of a Typology Using Latent Class Analysis

Grandparent-adult grandchild relationships may not be captured in existing grandparenting typologies, which focus on early stages of these relationships. Our study develops a typology for later stages, estimates the prevalence of grandparents in each category, and examines associations between category membership and grandparent and grandchild characteristics.

Using a sample of 289 grandparents from the latest wave of the Longitudinal Study of Generations (2005), we employed latent class analysis to examine underlying categories of grandparent-adult grandchild relationships, based on four dimensions-frequency of contact, relationship quality, grandparents' receipt of support, and geographic distance.

Three latent classes emerged: Geographically Distant/Low Contact (45%), Geographically Close/High Contact (42%), and Geographically Close/Low Contact (13%). While geographic distance and frequency of contact were dimensions distinguishing grandparent-adult grandchild relationships, receipt of support and relationship quality were not. Most grandparents reported close relationships but infrequent support.

By identifying categories of grandparent-adult grandchild relationships and factors influencing membership in them, our study may aid in efforts to strengthen those characterized by weak bonds-namely, those with grandparents who are older, frailer, and poorer.