Temporal Variations in the Experience of Custodial Grandparenting: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study

Abstract

To explore the experience of custodial grandparenting over time, 54 of 78 grandparents in a previous study of custodial grandparenting were reassessed during a 6-month time frame. Results suggested that grandparent group differences were maintained over time in terms of role strain, satisfaction with the relationship with the grandchild, perceptions of the grandchild, and life disruption, which favored traditional over both groups of custodial grandparents. Those persons raising problem grandchildren continued to be the most negatively affected by the resumption of the parent role. Findings also suggested that there were temporal shifts for all grandparents in the extent to which their relationships with their grandchildren were characterized by mutual respect, fairness, trust, and affection. Despite such changes, however, the overwhelming pattern over time for the grandparents in this study was one of stability. The implications of these data for research and public policy regarding grandparents raising their grandchildren are discussed.