Experiences of Grandparenting Disabled Children in the UK: A Qualitative Study of Intergenerational Relationships

ABSTRACT

Contemporary patterns of family, work, and welfare make the experience of grandparenting complex and diverse. This UK-based qualitative study aimed to explore grandparenting in the context of childhood disability. Nine grandparents (aged 59–79 years) with disabled and non-disabled grandchildren took part in semi-structured interviews. Grandparents provided extensive instrumental and emotional care and support and sought a balance between involvement versus interfering. Grandparents actively drew on life experiences to engage with services to maximize support. Contemplating the future, grandparents had concerns for adult children as well as grandchildren. Developing policies to support grandparents of disabled grandchildren are urgently required.

KEYWORDS:

• Grandparenting
• qualitative research
• childhood disability
• linked lives
• intergenerational

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank the grandparents who generously gave up their precious time to participate, and Jacqui Adams and Sarah Lewis from North East England Contact, a charity for families with disabled children, https://contact.org.uk.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.