Examining Grandparents’ Perceptions of Expectations and Family Communication Patterns in the Development of Grandparent–Grandchild Relationships

ABSTRACT

Framed using Family Communication Patterns Theory, this study examined today’s grandparent experience by drawing connections among grandparental role expectations, family communication patterns, and relationship satisfaction with one’s grandchild and adult child. Grandparent role expectations operate as relational schemas that include general expectations about what individuals should do as grandparents and might color the choices an individual makes in communicating with family members. Based on survey responses from 380 grandparents in the United States, the results support both direct and indirect connections among role expectations for grandparents as friends, more open/less-controlling interactions, and more satisfying family relationships. Expectations for grandparents as guardians were positively associated with two components of conformity orientation. The findings offer theoretical and practical implications such as demonstrating that family communication patterns may serve as a mediating mechanism in some circumstances and the powerful influence that conversation orientation has in developing high-quality grandparent–grandchild relationships.

Disclosure statement

No conflicts of interest to report.

Notes

1. The OMEGA macro (Hayes, 2020) requires at least three items to calculate McDonald’s omega (see Goodboy & Martin, 2020). Similarly, programs like AMOS require a minimum of four items for the measurement model to be appropriately identified. Measurement models for variables containing three or fewer items are underidentified.

2. Given the cross-sectional nature of this data, it can be important to explore causal ordering. Although the causal ordering proposed here is theoretically grounded, reviewers suggested that it could also seem sensible to position GP roles as mediators and FCPs as exogenous variables given the overarching nature of the coorientation styles addressed in FCPT. Therefore, as an ad hoc analysis, we tested this alternative model. Overall, model fit was acceptable (χ²/df = 1.772, CFI = .945, RMSEA = .045). Conversation orientation, family authority, and family control were significantly associated with both GP roles, but neither grandparent role was significantly associated with either GC relationship satisfaction or AC relationship satisfaction. Results of these analyses are available from the authors upon request.

3. As an ad hoc analysis, we examined whether there was an interaction effect between conversation orientation and each of the four ECOS subscales by adding four interaction terms as mediators in the SEM analysis. None of the 16 new mediation paths was significant. Results of these analyses are available from the authors upon request.