“My second mum and dad” - Grandparents Plus

Summary
Main findings
Grandparents were involved
and had a significant, positive
impact on young people
– There were high levels of involvement from all grandparents although
the maternal grandmother was generally the most active.
Some of the activities undertaken are those more traditionally associated with
parenting. This involvement encompassed: going to school events; talking about
problems and future plans; giving advice; money and presents and playing a role
in discipline. The vast majority of grandchildren respected the help they received
from grandparents. Some children maintained contact with grandparents through
email, telephone and the internet.
– Grandparental involvement was associated with ‘more considerate and
sensitive’ young people. The two strongest findings of the study were first
the relationship between being close to a grandparent and pro-social behaviour
in young people. This closeness was significantly associated with more sensitive
young people who were considerate of others’ feelings and more willing to help
others. Secondly, where grandparents were actively involved they had a positive
impact on child adjustment. Being ‘close’ to grandchildren was not enough,
grandparents had to get ‘stuck in’. Interviews with some of the children showed
how they did this; going to school events, helping with homework, helping the
young people plan their careers, acting as ‘cheerleaders’ for their achievements.
– High levels of grandparental involvement in single parent families
were linked to fewer adjustment difficulties for the children in these
families, having a greater positive impact on their adjustment than for
those children in coupled families.
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