Grandparental investment as a function of relational uncertainty and emotional closeness with parents

Richard L. Michalski; Todd K. Shackelford

doi:10.1007/s12110-005-1012-5

Human Nature

September 2005, Volume 16, Issue 3, pp 293–305

Grandparental investment as a function of relational uncertainty and emotional closeness with parents

Authors
Authors and affiliations

Richard L. MichalskiEmail author
Todd K. Shackelford

Article

Received:: 12 April 2004
Revised:: 25 October 2004

DOI: 10.1007/s12110-005-1012-5

Cite this article as:: Michalski, R.L. & Shackelford, T.K. Hum Nat (2005) 16: 293. doi:10.1007/s12110-005-1012-5

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Abstract

Several theoretical perspectives have generated research on grandparental investment, notably socialization and evolutionary psychological perspectives. Using data collected from more than 200 older adults (mean age 67 years), we test three hypotheses derived from socialization and evolutionary perspectives about grandparents’ relationships with and investment in grandchildren. Results indicate that (1) emotional closeness with both children and children-in-law is positively related to reports of emotional closeness with grandchildren; (2) maternal grandmothers invest more in grandchildren than do other grandparents; and (3) grandparents invest more in daughters’ children than in sons’ children. Discussion addresses limitations of self-report methodology in this context and situates the current findings within the body of research indicating the existence of psychological mechanisms designed to guide differential nepotism.

Key words

Emotional closenessGrandparental investmentRelational uncertainty

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Copyright information

Authors and Affiliations

Richard L. Michalski
- 1
Email author
Todd K. Shackelford
- 2

1.Department of PsychologyHollins UniversityRoanoke
2.Florida Atlantic UniversityUSA

Grandparental investment as a function of relational uncertainty and emotional closeness with parents

Abstract

Key words

Copyright information

Authors and Affiliations

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