This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by MILLS, T. L. Articles by FEA, C. B. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Adult Grandchildren's Perceptions of Emotional Closeness and Consensus With Their Maternal and Paternal Grandparents

University of Florida

MELANIE A. WAKEMAN

University of Florida

CHRISTOPHER B. FEA

University of Florida

Increasingly, grandchildren and grandparents have opportunities to share family experiences as life expectancy of older adults increases. Along with this extension of life expectancy is the increased chance of grandparents' seeing their grandchildren grow into adulthood. The aim of this study was to examine young adult grandchildren's perceptions of affectual and consensual solidarity with their grandparents. In a convenience sample of 300 college-aged grandchildren, the results of ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression analyses show that a grandparent's kin position relative to the grandchild is an important factor in grandchildren's perceptions of solidarity with their grandparents. Results also show that personal factors (demographics) alone were weak predictors. However, structural characteristics were more strongly associated with grandchildren's higher levels of emotional closeness and perceived intergenerational consensus. Future research should examine the association between intergenerational solidarity and family size, parental divorce, and the differences between adult grandchildren acquiring stepgrandparents through parental divorce or grandparent remarriage.

Journal of Family Issues, Vol. 22, No. 4, 427-455 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/019251301022004003


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Friedman, M. Hechter, and D. Kreager A Theory of the Value of Grandchildren Rationality and Society, February 1, 2008; 20(1): 31 - 63. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Ben-Ari and Y. Lavee Dyadic closeness in marriage: From the inside story to a conceptual model Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, October 1, 2007; 24(5): 627 - 644. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. L. Kemp Grandparent--Grandchild Ties: Reflections on Continuity and Change Across Three Generations Journal of Family Issues, July 1, 2007; 28(7): 855 - 881. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Wood and P. Liossis Potentially Stressful Life Events and Emotional Closeness Between Grandparents and Adult Grandchildren Journal of Family Issues, March 1, 2007; 28(3): 380 - 398. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. L. Henderson Grandparent Visitation Rights: Justices' Interpretation of the Best Interests of the Child Standard Journal of Family Issues, July 1, 2005; 26(5): 638 - 664. [Abstract] [PDF]