Grandparent Caregivers' Perception of the Stress of Surrogate Parenting

Abstract

Abstract This paper examined the relationship between sociodemo-graphic factors, Stressors, and resources, and the perception of stress by grandparents caring for their grandchildren. A sample of 129 grandparents had face-to-face interviews. A hierarchical block regression analysis produced a model that accounted for 49 percent of the variance. For the first block (sociodemographic factors) younger age and being white were significant, but in the context of the second block, these variables disappeared and being employed, having conflict with the grandchildren's parent, and grandchild problems were significant. The final block, in which resources were added, found that being employed, having conflict with the children's parent, grandchild problems, and lack of family resources were associated with high perception of stress. These findings suggest strategies for social work intervention.