Granddaughters' accounts of the influence of parental mediation on relational closeness with maternal grandmothers.
This study explores granddaughters' reports of the nature and impact of parental mediation on the development of their feelings of closeness toward their maternal grandmothers. Results from close-ended questions assessing granddaughters' perceptions of parental mediation and relational closeness indicated that closeness was predicted by mediation involving: visits alone with grandmothers, the absence of criticism of grandmothers, communication indicating the grandmothers were important persons, and less influence on conversations or activities. Qualitative analysis of granddaughters' accounts of the influence of parents illustrated what they perceived to be important issues in mediation. Additionally, accounts revealed the role of other family members in the relationship mediation process.
Holladay
S
S
Illinois State University, Department of Communication, Normal 61790-4480, USA.
Denton
D
D
Harding
D
D
Lee
M
M
Lackovich
R
R
Coleman
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D016487:Parenting; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012380:Role; D012932:Social Facilitation