Date of Award
Spring 4-11-1996
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Michael Schock
Second Advisor
Terry Denley
Third Advisor
Beverly Blinde
Abstract
This exploratory and descriptive study identifies stress associated with surrogate parenting by grandparents by surveying a small sample of grandparents raising their grandchildren in west central Minnesota. It is indicated that parenting a grandchild(ren) may lead to higher levels of stress due to role restriction and social isolation. A self-administered quantitative mail survey with a 45% response rate found grandparents who are employed and have informal- custody arrangements have increased stress, more concerns and increased need for services than grandparents who are not employed and have legal custody. Implications of the findings include the need for support services for grandparents who find themselves in this unexpected role. Further research is indicated to determine the number of grandparents parenting their grandchildren in the geographic area of the study and also to identify coping skills of resilient grandparents.
Identifier
SC 11.MSW.1996.Haugrud.JB
Recommended Citation
Haugrud, Jan B., "Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren: Increased Stress Due to Role Restriction and Social Isolation" (1996). Theses and Graduate Projects. 712.
https://idun.augsburg.edu/etd/712