College Students' Mental Health and Their Received Affection From Their Grandparents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test Affection Exchange Theory in the context of college students’ relationships with their grandparents by examining the extent to which college students’ reports of received love and esteem, caring, memories and humor, and celebratory affection from their grandparents are associated with grandchildren's mental health (i.e., stress, depression, and loneliness). Two hundred-fourteen young adult grandchildren (i.e., 18–25 years old) completed a series of questionnaires. In support of the hypotheses, the results of partial Pearson correlational analyses indicate that grandchildren's stress, depression, and loneliness are negatively related to their received memories and humor and celebratory affection from their grandparents. Surprisingly, grandchildren's mental health was not significantly related to their received love and esteem and caring affection from their grandparents.

Keywords:

• Affection
• Depression
• Grandchildren
• Loneliness
• Stress

Notes

The 17 items used to assess grandchildren's received affection were as follows: My grandparent … 1. Tells me s/he loves me; 2. Tells me that s/he misses me; 3. Tells me s/he is proud of me; 4. Tells me s/he enjoys spending time with me; 5. Tells me I'm special to him/her; 6. Asks me how things are going; 7. Asks how I am doing; 8. Listens to what I have to say; 9. Pays attention to me when I talk; 10. Asks me about my life; 11. Tells me stories about her/his life; 12. Tells me jokes; 13. Tells me about fun memories from her/his past; 14. Tells me funny stories; 15. Gives me money; 16. Sends cards for my birthday and holidays; 17. Gives me gifts on special occasions.

The six items used to assess loneliness were as follows: 1. I feel that I am “in tune” with the people around me; 2. I feel that I lack companionship; 3. I feel that there is no one I can turn to; 4. I feel alone; 5. I feel a part of a group of friends; 6. I feel that I have a lot in common with the people around me.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Daniel H. Mansson

Daniel H. Mansson (PhD, West Virginia University, 2011) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Arts & Sciences at Penn State Hazleton.