Rewards and unique challenges faced by African-American custodial grandmothers: the importance of future planning

Abstract

Findings suggest that while African-American custodial grandmothers find caregiving rewarding, they face unique challenges in contemplating and developing future plans. Custodial grandmothers think about substitute caregivers for their grandchildren but need assistance communicating a plan focused on their own needs for future care. Culturally sensitive interventions designed to facilitate effective utilization of future plans within this caregiver population are needed.

Material hardship and parenting stress among grandparent kinship providers during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating role of grandparents’ mental health

“…Prior studies indicated that grandparents and biological parents had no significant differences in their attitudes towards parenting ( Kaminski, Hayslip, Wilson, & Casto, 2008 ). However, there are unique challenges for being grandparent kinship caregivers, including modifying their daily routines, their social life and their plans for the future ( Crowther, Huang, & Allen, 2015 ). Thus, being primary caregivers in late adulthood makes grandparents experience more parental stress and psychological distress compared to young parents ( Kelley et al, 2000 ).…”

Grandparenting in the United States

“…Often grandparents provide custodial care to keep their grandchildren out of foster care ( Baker et al, 2008 ; Hayslip & Kaminski, 2005 ). Thus, many custodial grandparents are not only raising grandchildren, but are also navigating complex relationships between parents and children ( Baker et al, 2008 ; Crowther, Huang, & Allen, 2015 ; Hayslip et al, 2017 ; Hayslip & Kaminski, 2005 ).…”

“…Some appreciate the second chance at parenting ( Hayslip & Kaminski, 2005 ). But in contrast to many noncustodial grandparents, custodial grandparents, and grandmothers in particular, often feel they have to put their lives and plans on hold to raise their grandchildren ( Crowther et al, 2015 ). Thus, custodial grandparenting may result in increased depression, feelings of being overwhelmed, entrapment, and stress ( Hayslip et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Notably, Tennessee built Fiddler’s Annex, a subsidized housing project that provides a wide array of social programs and supports for custodial grandparents and their grandchildren; but budget cuts have precluded other such ventures ( Casper et al, 2016 ). More streamlined access to welfare programs, foster training, affordable childcare, and respite services, might ease the economic, emotional, and social hardships faced by many custodial grandparents ( Baker & Silverstein, 2008a ; Crowther et al, 2015 ; Hayslip et al, 2017 ).…”

“…But for others, multiple roles may conflict. Because they may have poorer health and fewer financial resources, grandparenting may be more stressful for grandparents who are women, black or Hispanic, less educated, lower income, and custodial or coresidential ( Baker & Silverstein, 2008 a,b; Baker et al, 2008 ; Chen et al, 2014 ; Crowther et al, 2015 ; Harrington Meyer, 2014 ; Mahne & Huxhold, 2015 ). Increasingly scholars suggest that differences in the impact in grandparenting are linked to differences that preceded the care work, notably gender, race, class, and coresidence ( Baker & Silverstein, 2008 a,b; Baker et al, 2008 ; Bluestein et al, 2004 ; Chen et al, 2014 ; Goodman & Silverstein, 2002 ; Hughes et al, 2007 ).…”