Adult Outcomes of Being Raised by Grandmothers: Can Social Networks Play a Role?

Abstract

Because grandmother caregivers are increasingly common, concern exists for children’s long-term well-being. Secondary analysis of a Canadian national survey revealed less life satisfaction but equal health limitations among this group at midlife. As predicted by resilience theory, those raised by grandmothers who had higher incomes had higher life satisfaction. Against prediction, social networks played no protective role, despite larger networks among the group raised by grandmothers. Results suggest that type of family of origin may set a person on a particular pathway that continues long term. Interventions encouraging greater use of social networks may be called for.

KEYWORDS:

• grandmother caregiving
• long-term outcomes
• resilience
• social networks