An emerging body of literature indicates that grandparents raising grandchildren experience increased psychological distress, social isolation, lack of resources needed to raise children, and physical health problems. This paper describes the results of an interdisciplinary intervention designed to improve the well-being and functioning of grandparents raising grandchildren. The sample comprised 120 grandmothers and great-grandmothers raising grandchildren in parent- absent households. The majority of participants were low-income, African American, and residing in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The intervention protocol consisted of social work case management, home visitations by registered nurses, participation in support groups and parenting classes, and legal services for obtaining custody or adoption of grandchildren. Findings suggest that the interdisciplinary intervention designed to improve the well-being and functioning of grandparents raising grandchildren had a positive impact on psychological distress, physical health, family resources, social support, and family coping. The relevance of these results to practice, research, and policy will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will 1. Identify major psychological, physical and social conditions of grandmothers raising grandchildren; 2. Describe the interdisciplinary service components of Project Healthy Grandparents as an intervention designed to enhance intergenerational caregivers well-being; 3. Articulate the effect of Project Healthy Grandparents on grandmothers' psychological distress, physical health, family resources, social support and family coping behaviors; 4. Discuss implications of findings to policy, practice and research.
Keywords: Maternal Well-Being, Adult Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.