Skip to main content

Value of Family and Group Counseling Models Where Grandparents Function as Parents to their Grandchildren

International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling volume 32, pages 178–190 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Those involved in circumstances in which children are raised by their grandparents often encounter serious problems that require assistance from counselors. Research suggests that grandparents and parents in these families typically experience heightened stress and psychosocial distress. Additionally, the children often encounter behavioral, emotional, and academic difficulties. These difficulties usually occur partly as a result of the factors that lead to grandparents having to assume responsibility for the children. This paper provides a report of the phenomenon, particularly as it relates to the various members’ psychosocial well-being. In addition, family and group counseling are advanced as valuable relational psychotherapeutic models to enhance the well-being of the children, grandparents and parents involved.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Adelman, H., & Taylor, L. (2006). The current status of mental health in schools: A policy and practice analysis. Los Angeles: UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ainsworth, M. S., & Bowlby, J. (1989). An ethological approach to personality development. American Psychologist, 46, 333–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alvord, M. K., & Grados, J. J. (2005). Enhancing resilience in children: a proactive approach. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36, 238–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belsky, J., & Pasco Fearon, R. M. (2002). Early attachment security, subsequent maternal sensitivity, and later child development: does continuity in development depend upon continuity of caregiving? Attachment & Human Development, 3, 361–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss, 1. London: Hogarth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bramlett, M. D., & Mosher, W. D. (2001). First marriage dissolution, divorce, and remarriage: United States. Advance data from vital and health statistics, no. 323. Hyattsville: National Center for Health Statistics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, A. (2007). Family therapy: Concepts, process, and practice (2nd ed.). Chichester: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, L., & Cairns, H. (2001). Grandparents and the care of children: the research evidence. In B. Broad (Ed.), Kinship care: The placement choice for children and young people (pp. 11–19). Dorset: Russell House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolbin-MacNab, M. L., & Targ, D. B. (2003). Grandparents raising grandchildren: Guidelines for family life educators and other family professionals. In B. Hayslip Jr. & J. H. Patrick (Eds.), Working with custodial grandparents (pp. 211–228). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubowitz, H., & Sawyer, R. (1994). School behavior of children in kinship care. Child Abuse and Neglect, 18, 899–911.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, O. W. (1998). Helping grandchildren—grandchildren raised by grandparents: expanding psychology in the schools. Psychology in the Schools, 35, 173–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, O. W. (2003). Living with grandma: a grandfamily study. School Psychology International, 24, 204–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, O. W. (2006). Teachers’ perceptions of the emotional and behavioral functioning of children raised by grandparents. Psychology in the Schools, 43, 565–572.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, O. W. (2009). Empirical investigation of the psychosocial functioning of children raised by grandparents. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 28, 128–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, O. W., & Benson, N. F. (2010). A four-factor social support model to mediate stressors experienced by children raised by grandparents. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 26, 54–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, O. W., & Ray, S. (2008). An attachment and school satisfaction framework for helping children raised by grandparents. School Psychology Quarterly, 23, 125–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, O. W., & Taub, G. E. (2009). A conceptual pathways model to promote positive youth development in children raised by their grandparents. School Psychology Quarterly, 24, 160–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emick, M. A., & Hayslip, B. (1999). Custodial grandparenting: stresses, coping skills, and relationships with grandchildren. International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 48, 35–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forness, S. R., Serna, L. A., Nielsen, E., Lambros, K., Hale, M. J., & Kavale, K. A. (2000). A model for early detection and primary prevention of emotional or behavioral disorders. Education & Treatment of Children, 23, 325–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuller-Thomson, E., & Minkler, M. (2001). American grandparents providing extensive child care to their grandchildren: prevalence and profile. The Gerontologist, 41, 201–209.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fuller-Thompson, E. (2005). Canadian First Nations grandparents raising grandchildren: a portrait in resilience. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 60, 331–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Generations United (2009). Retrieved April 22, from http://www.gu.org/about5161175.asp.

  • Glass, J. C., & Huneycutt, T. L. (2002). Grandparents parenting grandchildren: extent of situation, issues involved, and educational implications. Educational Gerontology, 28, 139–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, C., & Silverstein, M. (2002). Grandmothers raising grandchildren: family structure and well-being in culturally diverse families. The Gerontologist, 42, 676–689.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gouze, K. R., & Wendel, R. (2008). Integrative module-based family therapy: application and training. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 34, 269–286.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haine, R. A., Ayers, T. S., Sandler, I. N., & Wolchik, S. A. (2008). Evidence-based practices for parentally bereaved children and their families. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39, 113–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayslip, B., & Patrick, J. H. (2003). Working with custodial grandparents. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingersoll-Dayton, B., & Saengtienchai, C. (1999). Respect for the elderly in Asia: stability and change. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 48, 113–130.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kemp, C. L. (2007). Grandparent-grandchild ties: reflections on continuity and change across three generations. Journal of Family Issues, 28, 855–881.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keys, S. G., Bemak, G., & Lockhart, E. J. (1998). Transforming school counseling to serve the mental health needs of at-risk youth. Journal of Counseling and Development, 76, 381–388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kulic, K. R., Horne, A. M., & Dagley, J. C. (2004). A comprehensive review of prevention groups for children and adolescents. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 8, 139–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamberg, L. (2004). When military parents are sent to war, children left behind need ample support. Journal of the American Medical Association, 292, 1541–1542.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Landry-Meyer, L., & Newman, B. M. (2004). An exploration of the grandparent caregiver role. Journal of Family Issues, 8, 1005–1025.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewthwaite, M. (1996). A study of international students’ perspectives on cross-cultural adaptation. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 19, 167–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, J. A., Hamilton, B. E., Sutton, P. D., Ventura, S. J., Menacker, F., Munson, M. L., et al. (2007). National Vital Statistics report. Births: Final data for 2005. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Center for Health Statistics. Publication No. (PHS) 2008–1120.

  • Minkler, M., & Fuller-Thomson, E. (1999). The health of grandparents raising grandchildren: results of a national study. American Journal of Public Health, 89, 1384–1389.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, T. S., Chenail, R. J., Alexander, J. F., Crane, D. R., Johnson, S. M. & Schwallie, L. (2007). The development of core competencies for the practice of marriage and family therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 33, 417–438.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ozawa, M. N., & Yoon, H. (2002). The economic benefit of remarriage: gender and income class. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 36, 21–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinson-Millburn, N., Fabian, E., Schlossberg, N., & Pyle, M. (1996). Grandparents raising grandchildren. Journal of Counseling & Development, 74, 548–554.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poehlmann, J. (2003). An attachment perspective on grandparents raising their very young grandchildren: implications for intervention and research. Infant Mental Health Journal, 24, 149–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross, M. E., & Aday, L. A. (2006). Stress and coping in African American grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Journal of Family Issues, 27, 912–932.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sands, R. G., Goldberg-Glen, R., & Thornton, P. (2005). Factors associated with the positive well-being of grandparents caring for their grandchildren. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 45, 65–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer, R., & Dubowitz, H. (1994). School performance of children in kinship care. Child Abuse and Neglect, 18, 587–597.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmiege, S. J., Khoo, S. T., Sandler, I. N., Ayers, T. S., & Wolchik, S. A. (2006). Symptoms of internalizing and externalizing problems: modeling recovery curves after the death of a parent. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 31, 152–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shechtman, Z. (2002). Child group psychotherapy in the school at the threshold of a new millennium. Journal of Counseling and Development, 80, 293–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strom, R. D., & Strom, S. K. (2000). Goals for grandparents and support groups. In B. Hayslip Jr. & R. Goldberg-Glen (Eds.), Grandparents raising grandchildren: Theoretical empirical, and clinical perspectives (pp. 289–303). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, R. V., & Pender, D. A. (2008). Association for specialists in group work: best practice guidelines 2007 revisions. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 33, 111-117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toledo, R. J., Hayslip, B., & Emick, M. A. (2000). Cross-cultural difference in custodial grandparenting. In B. Hayslip Jr. & R. G. Glen (Eds.), Grandparents raising grandchildren: Theoretical, empirical, and clinical perspectives (pp. 107–123). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • United States Census Bureau. (2001). Census 2000 Supplementary Survey: Profile of selected social characteristics. Available: http://www.census.gov/c2ss/www/products...les/2000/tabular/c2sstable2/01000us.htm.

  • Van der Horst, F. C. P., LeRoy, H. A., & van der Veer, R. (2008). “When strangers meet”: John Bowlby and Harry Harlow on attachment behavior. Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 42, 370–388.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Whitson, S. C., & Sexton, L. S. (1998). A review of school counseling outcome research: implications for practice. Journal of Counseling and Development, 76, 412–426.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yalom, I. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York: Basic.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA

    Oliver W. Edwards

  2. Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL, USA

    Shannon L. Ray

Authors
  1. Oliver W. Edwards
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shannon L. Ray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Oliver W. Edwards.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Edwards, O.W., Ray, S.L. Value of Family and Group Counseling Models Where Grandparents Function as Parents to their Grandchildren. Int J Adv Counselling 32, 178–190 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-010-9098-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-010-9098-9

Keywords

  • Children raised by grandparents
  • Family dysfunction
  • Family counseling
  • Group counseling