Developmental issues of grandchildren who provide care to grandparents.
This qualitative research examined the perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and experiences of grandchildren caregivers who ranged in age from 7 to 29 years. Thirty-four caregiving grandchildren participated in face to-face semistructured interviews lasting approximately 35 to 90 minutes. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Analysis of the data revealed that caregiving grandchildren: a) experienced a wide range of emotions as providers of care to their grandparents; and b) developed specific coping strategies to deal with the stress of providing care. The intensity, type, and range of emotions experienced and the coping strategies used were a reflection of the developmental issues of the grandchildren. Although grandchildren caregivers experienced similar responsibilities, their developmental level and the context in which care was provided played a role on how they were best able to cope with caregiving responsibilities. Practitioners must consider grandchildren caregivers when developing programs and services for family caregivers.
Fruhauf
Christine A
CA
Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA. cfruhauf@cahs.colostate.edu
Orel
Nancy A
NA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D010553:Personality Development; D012380:Role; D012931:Social Environment