Grandparent-grandchild Relationships: Proposing a Mutuality Model with Focus on Young Children and Adolescents

• In Event: 1283 - Section on the Sociology of the Family Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 05. Multigenerational Coresidence

Abstract

This paper outlines a new conceptual framework for understanding grandparent-grandchild relationships in an era of increasing grandparental longevity. The paper explicates the new “Mutuality Model” and discusses its various components. The unique feature of this model uses a “linked lives” theoretical framework and relates to grandchildren’s potential contributions to grandparental well-being. The proposed model serves as the background for reviewing existing research on grandparent-grandchild relationships. Our literature review provides a big picture overview of research trends in the study of grandparent-grandchild relationships during the past 50 years. This is followed by a more in-depth consideration of this literature as focused on young and adolescent grandchildren. Methodological challenges, as well as future research directions that are guided by our proposed model, are discussed.

Authors

• Eva Kahana, Case Western Reserve University

• Boaz Kahana, Cleveland State University

• Timothy D. Goler, Case Western Reserve University

• Jeffrey Kahana, Mount Saint Mary College