Grandparents: The relationship between life satisfaction and the grandparenting role

Lainie Kasman Kreindler, Pace University

Abstract

In recent years there has been an increase in divorced working and single-parent families, and family mobility. Ties between grandparents, their adult children and grandchildren have been weakened and sometimes severed. As a result there is an increasing need to reestablish relationships between children, who need effective role models, and grandparents who have much to offer them. The present investigation measured the grandparenting role and the relationship between grandparents' life satisfaction and grandparenting roles. Residents in one of two metropolitan retirement communities and members of one of two senior centers were asked to fill out a questionnaire packet. This packet consisted of a Grandparenting Role Questionnaire (GRQ), the Life Satisfaction Scale-Index Z (LSI-Z), and the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised (MAACL-R), which described how one generally feels. Means, standard deviations, t-tests, pearson product moment correlations, and bonferroni corrections with the confidence level determined through linear regression were used to assess these relationships. Grandparents cited bonding, discipline, education, protection and general welfare, responsivity, sensitivity, caring, and baby-sitting as part of the grandparenting role when asked in a free response format. Results showed that there were gender differences for bonding, and age differences for bonding, responsivity, and sensitivity. There were no apparent differences based on life satisfaction. Bonding was viewed as very important at all stages of child development. At the various stages of child development, there were differences for bonding and sensitivity in relation to gender. Age differences occurred for responsivity and sensitivity at the infant/toddler, preschool, elementary, and adolescent stages and at the adult level for responsivity and the late adolescent level for sensitivity. Life satisfaction differences were apparent at the elementary stage of child development for bonding.

Subject Area

Developmental psychology|Social psychology|Gerontology|Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology

Recommended Citation

Kreindler, Lainie Kasman, "Grandparents: The relationship between life satisfaction and the grandparenting role" (1995). ETD Collection for Pace University. AAI9528081.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/dissertations/AAI9528081

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