Intergenerational Support and the Role of Grandparents in Post-Divorce Families: Retrospective Accounts of Young Adult Grandchildren

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine grandparent support to grandchildren following the divorce of parents. Participants (N = 42) responded to questions focusing on the enactment of support and relationships with grandparents. Through these retrospective, self-report accounts, six categories of grandparent support were identified. Additionally, four barriers to grandparent support emerged from the responses of the grandchildren. These categories of and barriers to intergenerational social support are discussed as they relate to characteristics and expectations of provided support in post-divorce families.

Keywords:

• Divorce
• Family Communication
• Grandparents
• Social Support

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jordan Soliz

Jordan Soliz (PhD, University of Kansas, 2004) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0329. E-mail: [email protected]