[Relations between grandparents and their grandchildren in the preschool age]

In a pilot study 23 grandchildren in preschool age (9 boys, 14 girls) and 24 grandparents from the same families (8 grandfathers, 16 grandmothers) were interviewed in detail about the relations to each other. The informations were analyzed with a comprehensive system of categories. Most grandchildren and all grandparents considered the respective other person to be important in their life. The subjects were the more satisfied with their relation, the more often they were together without other relatives. The results are compared with previous findings, and practical consequences are drawn.