A Qualitative Examination of Barriers for Urban and Rural Custodial Grandparents

Abstract

Focus groups were conducted with 33 community dwelling, urban and rural, custodial grandparents to explore their willingness to comply with a behavioral intervention targeting improving their well-being and financial management. Most participants were African-American (91%), female (79%), and middle-aged. Major themes included (1) inability to access social services; (2) legal assistance; (3) emotional well-being; (4) problems related to the parents of grandchildren; and (5) identification of structured activities for grandchildren. Findings suggest custodial grandparents underutilize services. Future research should address methods to enhance grandparents’ utilization of resources facilitated via a peer navigator system along with policy level changes.

KEYWORDS:

• grandparents
• caregivers
• rural
• African-Americans