Predictors Of Grandparents' Level Of Involvement In Grandchildren Care
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Hyeji Choi-Ko
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George Warren Brown School of Social Work
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Washington University
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1196 One Brookings Dr
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St. Louis MO 63130
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(314) 935-4369
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FAX: (314) 935-8711
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hjc1@gwbmail.wustl.edu
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Letha Chadiha
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Washington University
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1196 One Brookings Dr
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St. Louis MO 63130
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(314) 935-6608
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lethac@gwbmail.wustl.edu
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Nancy Morrow-Howell
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Washington University
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1196 One Brookings Dr
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St. Louis MO 63130
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(314) 935-6762
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nancymh@gwbmail.wustl.edu
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Enola Proctor
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Washington University
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1196 One Brookings Dr
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St. Louis MO 63130
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(314) 935-6660
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ekp@gwbmail.wustl.edu
PURPOSE: Past research shows that levels of involvement in grandchildren
care are closely associated with grandparents' well being. However, factors
predicting the level of involvement in grandchildren care remain understudied.
The objective of this paper is to identify predictors of grandparents'
levels of involvement in grandchildren care.
METHODS: This paper used the preliminary data from the 'Black
Caregiver Project.' In this project, 222 caregivers for dependent elders
were interviewed in urban and rural Missouri. Respondents having grandchildren
(N=114) were asked how frequently they provided help to their grandchildren.
The grandparents were categorized into two groups: Little involvement group
(LG) and high involvement group (HG). Group membership (LG vs. HG) was
regressed on age, financial well-being, number of adult care-receivers
for whom the grandparents were caring, whether the grandparents were co-residing
with their grandchildren, number of chronic physical illnesses, and employment
status.
RESULTS: The logistic regression analysis revealed that the
model was significant (-2 log L= 103, p=.001). Odd ratios indicated that
as grandparents' age increased one year, grandparents were 0.9 times less
likely to belong to HG. For each unit increase in financial well-being,
grandparents were 2.6 times as likely to belong to HG. As the number of
adult care-receiver increased by one, grandparents were 1.99 times more
likely to be HG. Co-resident grandparents were 19 times more likely to
be HG. The other factors were not significant.
IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICES: Findings indicated that age, financial
well-being, number of adult care-receivers, and co-residing with grandchildren
can be used as references in determine eligibility for social services
and programs that assist grandparents in providing grandchildren care.
Also, the study suggested that social services and programs need to be
more focused on co-resident grandparents and grandparents with multiple
adult care-receivers.