Work

Grandmother involvement as a protective factor for early childhood social adjustment.

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: Despite high rates of grandmother involvement with young grandchildren, very little research has examined the associations between nonresidential grandmother involvement and grandchild social adjustment. The present study involved 127 families enrolled in the Family Transitions Project to consider the degree to which mother-reported maternal grandmother involvement buffered 3- and 4-year-old grandchildren from economic, parenting, and child temperamental risks for reduced social competence and elevated externalizing behaviors. Findings indicate that higher levels of mother-reported grandmother involvement reduced the negative association between observed grandchild negative emotional reactivity and social competence. Furthermore, higher levels of mother-reported grandmother involvement protected grandchildren from the positive association between observed mother harsh parenting and grandchild externalizing behaviors. These findings underscore the relevance of moving beyond the nuclear family to understand factors linked to social adjustment during early childhood.

Source: Journal of Family Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/a0020829

Authors: Melissa A. Barnett, Laura V. Scaramella, Tricia K. Neppl, Lenna L. Ontai, Rand D. Conger

Institutions: University of Arizona, LSU New Orleans, Iowa State University, University of California, Davis

Language: English

Topic: Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green