In:
Journal of Marriage and Family, Wiley, Vol. 83, No. 3 ( 2021-06), p. 754-768
Abstract:
This study examined adult grandchildren's experience of losing a grandparent in the context of a multigenerational family. Background Although the death of a grandparent in adulthood is often an expected life event, this loss may still result in grief for adult grandchildren. Furthermore, bereavement is not merely an individual experience, but a family one. Characteristics of the relationship between bereaved adult grandchildren and their bereaved middle‐generation parents may influence adult grandchildren's grief responses. This includes both structural (e.g., gender of parent; coresidence with parent) and emotional (e.g., relationship quality; worry about parent) aspects of this tie. Method Young adult grandchildren from Wave 2 of the Family Exchanges Study (2013, N = 204) reported on their recent grandparent loss experiences ( N = 216) and relationships with their middle‐generation parents ( N = 142). Results Three‐level multilevel models revealed that (a) grandsons who lost a grandmother reported significantly fewer grief symptoms than all other gender combinations; (b) worry about a middle‐generation parent was associated with higher grief symptoms, but; (c) this effect was significantly stronger when the middle‐generation parent was a mother, and when adult grandchildren were coresident with that bereaved parent. Finally, relationship quality with the middle‐generation parent was not associated with grief symptoms, irrespective of context. Conclusion Results highlight the intersection of emotional and structural aspects of multigenerational relationships following the death of a family member.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-2445
,
1741-3737
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
218322-5
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2066605-6
SSG:
3,4
SSG:
5,2
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