The National Archive of Grief Support Studies
The National Archive of Grief Support Studies(NAGSS) database provides bibliographical information and summaries of recent articles selected for their relevance to grief and bereavement service providers. The articles that are summarized are selected from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and are intended to highlight key concepts as well as provide a brief statement of implications for service providers. Bibliographical information may be used to obtain the original article.
Custodial Grandparenting: Perceptions of Loss by Non-Custodial Grandparent Peers
Authors:
Hayslip
Jr., Bert
Glover, Rebecca J.
Source:
Omega: 2008-2009, 58(3), pp. 163-175.
Summary
This article summarizes the results of a research study that examined the perceptions of non-custodial grandparents towards the losses experienced by custodial grandparents. Non-custodial grandparents completed the Perception of Loss Scale after reading a scenario involving a grandmother raising a grandchild. Scenario variances included grandchild gender, presence or absence of a difficulty with the grandchild, and reason for custodial responsibilities. Findings included the perception of loss is greater: 1) if the grandchild is a granddaughter as opposed to a grandson, 2) if the grandparent is raising a grandchild with an emotional or behavioral problem, 3) if the reason for assuming custody is due to parental abandonment or parental drug abuse, and 4) if the reason for assuming custody for a granddaughter is due to parental death, divorce, child abuse or drug abuse, and if the reason for assuming custody for a grandson is due to parental job loss.
Key Words: grandparent, grandchild
Service Provider Implications
The results of this study alert service providers to the possibility that some of the losses experienced by custodial grandparents may be recognized by non-custodial grandparents, while other losses may be disenfranchised.
