“If She’s Sad, I’m Sad Too” Emotional Closeness Between French Grandparents and Emerging Adult Grandchildren

Abstract

The present study examines emotional closeness between French grandparents and their emerging adult grandchildren. The present study explores facets of the grandparent–grandchild relationship that have not been extensively investigated. It highlights the importance of the grandchildren’s relationship with their grandparents as they reach adulthood and the facets of intergenerational emotional closeness during this period of transition. Semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with 13 grandparents and their emerging adult grandchildren. Four themes were extracted from the thematic analysis of the interviews (emotional bonding; sharing identity, values, and personality; emotional worries and concerns about illness and death; adult role acquisition). The study reveals the depth of the grandparent-emerging adult–grandchild relationship, which is a source not only of love, support, and companionship in their daily life, but also of worries about the future. This study also identifies some hitherto unexplored facets that demonstrate the complexity of this relationship as grandchildren become adults.

From Supportive to Strained: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Emerging Adults’ Characterizations of Past and Present Grandparent-Grandchild Roles and Relationships

“…As we have done in this piece, family science supports the perspective of conducting research that simultaneously considers individual development and outcomes for members embedded in family systems while also holding space for the holistic family unit (Reinke & Walcheski, 2015). Triangulating the experiences of family members using multiple perspectives and framing research using family systems theories (Barnett et al, 2010; Duflos & Giraudeau, 2021; Miguel et al, 2021) would bolster future work. Using findings from this study and related research as a rationale for the importance of grandparent-grandchild relationships, a shift in the broader narrative to a more holistic consideration of the role played by families in emerging adulthood could lead to the integration of grandparents into systems of support recognized by a greater number of policymakers, practitioners, and researchers (Buchanan & Rotkirch, 2018).…”

“…As mostly independent individuals, emerging adults can choose to engage in relationships with their grandparents; the ability to choose their level of engagement is significant because it marks a shift from previous stages when the relationship was largely dictated by their parents. Emerging adults may also see their grandparents as connections to familial roots, and thus an intergenerational identity (Bengtson & Roberts, 1991; Duflos & Giraudeau, 2021; Gloyn et al, 2018; Kennedy, 1990).…”

“…In contrast to grandparents' predominantly past teachings, grandchildren's instruction was often framed in the present. This finding suggests participants felt they only possessed valuable information to teach their grandparents as they moved into adolescence and adulthood and may be connected with Duflos and Giraudeau's (2021) theme of adult role acquisition; as individuals move into early adulthood, they are increasingly recognized as holding influence by their grandparents. The prevalence of technology around teaching emphasizes that grandchildren view themselves as more expert in the technical space, navigating through online platforms and working with a variety of technological devices.…”

“…In addition to seminal pieces focused on the grandparent-grandchild relationship and roles held by grandparents within them (e.g., Kennedy, 1990; Kornhaber, 1996), the growing body of recent research on the substance of grandparent-adult grandchild relationships suggests emerging adults’ close connections with grandparents can take on everyday value (e.g., real-time companionship) and long-term value (e.g., shared memories) while providing emotional (e.g., mentorship, guidance) and instrumental (e.g., paying for expenses, teaching life skills) support for grandchildren (Duflos & Giraudeau, 2022; Glaser et al, 2013; Huo et al, 2018; LeBaron et al, 2018; Wood et al, 2018). One recent study with a small French sample found that emerging adults highlighted emotional bonding and the sharing of identity, values, and personality as characteristics of their current relationships with grandparents (Duflos & Giraudeau, 2021).…”

“…Though the body of research surrounding grandparent-grandchild relationships in emerging adulthood continues to grow, several areas warrant further investigation. Information on emerging adults’ grandparent relationships and characterizations of these relationships is often collected from European samples (e.g., Duflos & Giraudeau, 2021; Glaser et al, 2013; Miguel et al, 2021; Pratt et al, 2008; Sciplino & Kinshott, 2019; Wetzel & Hank, 2020), prompting an exploration of these phenomena within different contexts, such as the United States, where the normative patterns of interaction in the grandparent-grandchildren relationship may appear differently. Additionally, there is a need for more qualitative and quantitative research to better understand family relationships (Aquilino, 2006), as these relationships can be full of depth and complexity (Duflos & Giraudeau, 2022; Thomas et al, 2017) and there is large variation within and between families (Kemp, 2007; Scharf, 2016).…”