Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Emotional Ups and Downs

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Grandparenting Children with Disabilities

  • 112 Accesses

Abstract

Caring for grandchildren with disabilities can be both rewarding and taxing. It may generate very positive, and very negative, emotional impacts. Often simultaneously. For some grandparents, care work is almost entirely positive, in part because they so enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and in part because they know they are providing much needed care and their adult children appreciate it profoundly. Providing care gives some grandparents abundant joy that, in some cases, relieves their poor health and sadness and gives new purpose and meaning to their lives. They tend to have enough resources to provide the amount of care needed. These families tend to have close emotional bonds and clear channels of communication, even if they also face health and financial challenges. For other grandparents, caring for grandchildren with disabilities creates emotional distress. Some are reluctant to accept the diagnoses and to let go of the visions they had of grandparenting. Some are concerned about the impact on their own health, their marriages, and their adult children’s wellbeing. Some do not have sufficiently good health or deep enough pockets to provide the amount of care and support needed. Some are overwhelmed by becoming custodial grandparents and providing so much unexpected care at such a late age. And some feel tremendous frustration and disappointment that their adult children are taking advantage of them and failing to express appreciation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Barnett and Connidis (2019), Liu and Cong (2019), Amano et al. (2018), Lent and Otto (2018), Kim et al. (2017), Baugh et al. (2016), Lee et al. (2016), Mansson (2016), Margolis and Wright (2016), Tang et al. (2016), Whitley et al. (2016), Findler (2000, 2014, 2016), Crowther et al. (2015), Doley et al. (2015), Dukhovnov and Zagheni (2015), Mahne and Huxhold (2015), Sprang et al. (2015), Wiemers and Bianchi (2015), Bundy-Fazioli et al. (2013), Castillo et al. (2013), Musil et al. (2013), Yancura (2013), Bates and Taylor (2012), Langosch (2012), Conway et al. (2011), Gallagher et al. (2010), Toremann (2010), Woodbridge et al. (2009), Neely-Barnes and Dia (2008), Gerard et al. (2006), Szinovacz and Davey (2006), Mills et al. (2005), Goodman and Silverstein (2002), Kolomer et al. (2002), Burnette (2000), Force et al. (2000), Janicki et al. (2000), Reid and Hardy (1999) and Schilmoeller and Baranowski (1998).

  2. 2.

    Barnett and Connidis (2019), Liu and Cong (2019), Amano et al. (2018), Lent and Otto (2018), Kim et al. (2017), Baugh et al. (2016), Lee et al. (2016), Tang et al. (2016), Whitley et al. (2016), Doley et al. (2015), Chen et al. (2015), Harrington Meyer (2014), Bundy-Fazioli et al. (2013), Yancura (2013), Bates and Taylor (2012), Langosch (2012), Conway et al. (2011), Toremann (2010), Dolbin-MacNab (2006) and Pruchno and McKenney (2002).

  3. 3.

    Musil et al. (2013) and D’Astous et al. (2013).

  4. 4.

    Barnett and Connidis (2019), Liu and Cong (2019), Amano et al. (2018), Lent and Otto (2018), Kim et al. (2017), Baugh et al. (2016), Lee et al. (2016), Tang et al. (2016), Whitley et al. (2016), Doley et al. (2015), Bundy-Fazioli et al. (2013), Yancura (2013), Bates and Taylor (2012), Langosch (2012), Conway et al. (2011) and Toremann (2010).

  5. 5.

    Findler (2014) and Woodbridge et al. (2009).

  6. 6.

    Burnette (2000).

  7. 7.

    Findler (2000).

  8. 8.

    Musil et al. (2013).

  9. 9.

    Chen et al. (2011) and Harrington Meyer (2014).

  10. 10.

    Margolis and Wright (2016), Dukhovnov and Zagheni (2015), Wiemers and Bianchi (2015) and Harrington Meyer (2014).

  11. 11.

    Barnett and Connidis (2019), Liu and Cong (2019), Amano et al. (2018), Lent and Otto (2018), Kim et al. (2017), Baugh et al. (2016), Lee et al. (2016), Margolis and Wright (2016), Tang et al. (2016), Whitley et al. (2016), Noy and Findler (2016), Crowther et al. (2015), Doley et al. (2015), Dukhovnov and Zagheni (2015), Mahne and Huxhold (2015), Wiemers and Bianchi (2015), Chen et al. (2015), Harrington Meyer (2014), Bundy-Fazioli et al. (2013), Yancura (2013), Bates and Taylor (2012), Langosch (2012), Conway et al. (2011), Toremann (2010), Baker and Silverstein (2008a, b) and Baker et al. (2008).

  12. 12.

    Margolis and Wright (2016), Dukhovnov and Zagheni (2015), Wiemers and Bianchi (2015), Luo et al. (2012), Igel and Szydlik (2011), Baker and Silverstein (2008a, b), Baker et al. (2008), Hughes et al. (2007), Blustein et al. (2004) and Goodman and Silverstein (2002).

  13. 13.

    Noy and Findler (2016) and Force et al. (2000).

  14. 14.

    Barnett and Connidis (2019), Liu and Cong (2019), Amano et al. (2018), Lent and Otto (2018), Kim et al. (2017), Baugh et al. (2016), Lee et al. (2016), Tang et al. (2016), Whitley et al. (2016), Noy and Findler (2016), Doley et al. (2015), Chen et al. (2011), Bundy-Fazioli et al. (2013), Yancura (2013), Bates and Taylor (2012), Langosch (2012), Luo et al. (2012), Conway et al. (2011), Igel and Szydik (2011), Toremann (2010), Baker and Silverstein (2008a, b), Baker et al. (2008), Hughes et al. (2007), Hayslip and Kaminski (2005), Blustein et al. (2004), Goodman and Silverstein (2002).

  15. 15.

    Barnett and Connidis (2019), Liu and Cong (2019), Amano et al. (2018), Lent and Otto (2018), Kim et al. (2017), Noy and Findler (2016), Baugh et al. (2016), Lee et al. (2016), Tang et al. (2016), Whitley et al. (2016), Doley et al. (2015), Bundy-Fazioli et al. (2013), Yancura (2013), Bates and Taylor (2012), Langosch (2012), Luo et al. (2012), Conway et al. (2011), Igel and Szydlik (2011), Toremann (2010), Baker and Silverstein (2008a, b), Baker et al. (2008), Hughes et al. (2007), Hayslip and Kaminski (2005), Blustein et al. (2004) and Goodman and Silverstein (2002).

References

  • Amano, T., Shen, H., & Sun, F. (2018). The influence of grandparenting on cognitive function and the mediating role of health factors. Innovation in Aging, 2(suppl_1), 116–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, L. A., & Silverstein, M. (2008a). Depressive symptoms among grandparents raising grandchildren: The impact of participation in multiple roles. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 6(3), 285–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, L. A., & Silverstein, M. (2008b). Preventive health behaviors among grandmothers raising grandchildren. The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 63(5), S304–S311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, L. A., Silverstein, M., & Putney, N. M. (2008). Grandparents raising grandchildren in the United States: Changing family forms, stagnant social policies. Journal of Societal & Social Policy, 7, 53–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, A. E., & Connidis, I. A. (2019). Grandparents in changing times: Negotiating gender across generations. In B. Hayslip & C. A. Fruhauf (Eds.), Grandparenting: Influences on the dynamics of family relationships (p. 181). London: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates, J. S., & Taylor, A. C. (2012). Grandfather involvement and aging men’s mental health. American Journal of Men’s Health, 6(3), 229–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baugh, E. J., Taylor, A. C., & Bates, J. S. (2016). Grandparents raising grandchildren. In C. L. Shehan (Ed.), Encyclopedia of family studies (Vol. 54, pp. 1–9). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blustein, J., Chan, S., & Guanais, F. C. (2004). Elevated depressive symptoms among caregiving grandparents. Health Services Research, 39(6), 1671–1689.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bundy-Fazioli, K., Fruhauf, C. A., & Miller, J. L. (2013). Grandparents caregivers’ perceptions of emotional distress and well-being. Journal of Family Social Work, 16(5), 447–462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnette, D. (2000). Latino grandparents rearing grandchildren with special needs. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 33(3), 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castillo, K. D., Henderson, C. E., & North, L. W. (2013). The relation between caregiving style, coping, benefit finding, grandchild symptoms, and caregiver adjustment among custodial grandparents. In Resilient grandparent caregivers: A strengths-based perspective (pp. 25–37). New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conway, F., Jones, S., & Speakes-Lewis, A. (2011). Emotional strain in caregiving among African American grandmothers raising their grandchildren. Journal of Women & Aging, 23(2), 113–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, F., Mair, C. A., Bao, L., & Yang, Y. C. (2015). Race/ethnic differentials in the health consequences of caring for grandchildren for grandparents. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 70(5), 793–803.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowther, M. R., Huang, C.-H. S., & Allen, R. S. (2015). Rewards and unique challenges faced by African-American custodial grandmothers: The importance of future planning. Aging & Mental Health, 19(9), 844–852.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Astous, V., Wright, S. D., Wright, C. A., & Diener, M. L. (2013). Grandparents of grandchildren with autism spectrum disorders: Influences on engagement. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 11(2), 134–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolbin-MacNab, M. L. (2006). Just like raising your own? Grandmothers’ perceptions of parenting a second time around. Family Relations, 55(5), 564–575.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doley, R., Bell, R., Watt, B., & Simpson, H. (2015). Grandparents raising grandchildren: Investigating factors associated with distress among custodial grandparent. Journal of Family Studies, 21(2), 101–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dukhovnov, D., & Zagheni, E. (2015). Who takes care of whom in the U.S.? Evidence from matrices of time transfers by age and sex. Population and Development Review, 41(2), 183–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Findler, L. S. (2000). The role of grandparents in the social support system of mothers of children with a physical disability. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 81(4), 370–381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Findler, L. (2014). The experience of stress and personal growth among grandparents of children with and without intellectual disability. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 52(1), 32–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Findler, L. (2016). Being a grandparent of a child with a disability. In L. Findler & O. Taubman – Ben-Ari (Eds.), Grandparents of children with disabilities (Vol. 24, pp. 39–67). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Force, L. T., Botsford, A., Pisano, P. A., & Holbert, A. (2000). Grandparents raising children with and without a developmental disability. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 33(4), 5–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher, P. A., Kresak, K., & Rhodes, C. A. (2010). Perceived needs of grandmothers of children with disabilities. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 30(1), 56–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerard, J. M., Landry-Meyer, L., & Roe, J. G. (2006). Grandparents raising grandchildren: The role of social support in coping with caregiving challenges. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 62(4), 359–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, C., & Silverstein, M. (2002). Grandmothers raising grandchildren: Family structure and well-being in culturally diverse families. The Gerontologist, 42(5), 676–689.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrington Meyer, M. (2014). Grandmothers at work: Juggling families and jobs. New York: New York University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayslip, B., & Kaminski, P. L. (2005). Grandparents raising their grandchildren: A review of the literature and suggestions for practice. The Gerontologist, 45(2), 262–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, M. E., Waite, L. J., LaPierre, T. A., & Ye, L. (2007). All in the family: The impact of caring for grandchildren on grandparents’ health. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 62(2), S108–S119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Igel, C., & Szydlik, M. (2011). Grandchild care and welfare state arrangements in Europe. Journal of European Social Policy, 21(3), 210–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janicki, M. P., McCallion, P., Grant-Griffin, L., & Kolomer, S. R. (2000). Grandparent caregivers. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 33(3), 35–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, H.-J., Kang, H., & Johnson-Motoyama, M. (2017). The psychological well-being of grandparents who provide supplementary grandchild care: A systematic review. Journal of Family Studies, 23(1), 118–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolomer, S. R., McCallion, P., & Janicki, M. P. (2002). African-American grandmother carers of children with disabilities. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 37(3–4), 45–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langosch, D. (2012). Grandparents parenting again: Challenges, strengths, and implications for practice. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 32(2), 163–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, E., Clarkson-Hendrix, M., & Lee, Y. (2016). Parenting stress of grandparents and other kin as informal kinship caregivers: A mixed methods study. Children and Youth Services Review, 69, 29–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lent, J. P., & Otto, A. (2018). Grandparents, grandchildren, and caregiving: The impacts of America’s substance use crisis. Generations, 42(3), 15–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., & Cong, Z. (2019). Grandparenting and depressive symptoms among Mexican American older adults: Examining the moderating effects of financial and emotional support. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 17(2), 163–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo, Y., LaPierre, T. A., Hughes, M. E., & Waite, L. J. (2012). Grandparents providing care to grandchildren. Journal of Family Issues, 33(9), 1143–1167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahne, K., & Huxhold, O. (2015). Grandparenthood and subjective well-being: Moderating effects of educational level. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 70(5), 782–792.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansson, D. H. (2016). The joy of grandparenting: A qualitative analysis of grandparents. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 14(2), 135–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Margolis, R., & Wright, L. (2016). Older adults with three generations of kin: Prevalence, correlates, and transfers. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 72(6), 1067–1072.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills, T. L., Gomez-Smith, Z., & de Leon, J. M. (2005). Skipped generation families: Sources of psychological distress among grandmothers of grandchildren who live in homes where neither parent is present. Marriage & Family Review, 37(1–2), 191–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minkler, M., & Fuller-Thomson, D. E. (2001). Physical and mental health status of american grandparents providing extensive child care to their grandchildren. Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association (1972), 56(4), 199–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Musil, C. M., Jeanblanc, A. B., Burant, C. J., Zauszniewski, J. A., & Warner, C. B. (2013). Longitudinal analysis of resourcefulness, family strain, and depressive symptoms in grandmother caregivers. Nursing Outlook, 61(4), 225–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neely-Barnes, S. L., & Dia, D. A. (2008). Families of children with disabilities: A review of literature and recommendations for interventions. Journal of Early and Intensive Behavior Intervention, 5(3), 93–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noy, A., & Findler, L. (2016). Twice special—Grandparents who raise grandchildren with disabilities. In L. Findler & O. Taubman – Ben-Ari (Eds.), Grandparents of children with disabilities. SpringerBriefs in well-being and quality of life research (Vol. 23, pp. 87–95). Cham: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pruchno, R. A., & McKenney, D. (2002). Psychological well-being of black and white grandmothers raising grandchildren: Examination of a two-factor model. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 57(5), 444–452.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, J., & Hardy, M. (1999). Multiple roles and well-being among midlife women: Testing role strain and role enhancement theories. Journals of Gerontology, 54(6), S329–S338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schilmoeller, G. L., & Baranowski, M. D. (1998). Intergenerational support in families with disabilities: Grandparents’ perspectives. Families in Society, 79(5), 465–476.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sprang, G., Choi, M., Eslinger, J. G., & Whitt-Woosley, A. L. (2015). The pathway to grandparenting stress: Trauma, relational conflict, and emotional well-being. Aging & Mental Health, 19(4), 315–324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szinovacz, M., & Davey, A. (2006). Effects of retirement and grandchild care on depressive symptoms. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 62(1), 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang, F., Xu, L., Chi, I., & Dong, X. Q. (2016). Psychological well-being of older Chinese-American grandparents caring for grandchildren. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 64(11), 2356–2361.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toremann, G. D. (2010). Skipped generation households: An exploratory study of grandparents who raise their grandchildren. http://hdl.handle.net/10211.9/699

  • Wiemers, E. E., & Bianchi, S. M. (2015). Competing demands from aging parents and adult children in two cohorts of American women. Population and Development Review, 41(1), 127–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yancura, L. A. (2013). Service use and unmet service needs in grandparents raising grandchildren. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 56(6), 473–486.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitley, D. M., Kelley, S. J., & Lamis, D. A. (2016). Depression, social support, and mental health: A longitudinal mediation analysis in African American custodial grandmothers. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 82(2–3), 166–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodbridge, S., Buys, L., & Miller, E. (2009). Grandparenting a child with a disability: An emotional rollercoaster. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 28(1), 37–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, F., Liu, G., & Mair, C. A. (2011). Intergenerational ties in context: Grandparents caring for grandchildren in China. Social Forces, 90(2), 571–594.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    Madonna Harrington Meyer

  2. Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, USA

    Ynesse Abdul-Malak

Authors
  1. Madonna Harrington Meyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ynesse Abdul-Malak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Harrington Meyer, M., Abdul-Malak, Y. (2020). Emotional Ups and Downs. In: Grandparenting Children with Disabilities. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39055-6_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39055-6_14

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-39054-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-39055-6

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation