What Are the Stresses of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren?

Compared with children in parent-headed households, those being raised by grandparents more often had difficult temperament, developmental concerns, and ADHD.

The challenges faced by grandparents and their ability to cope with the complicated circumstances of raising grandchildren are important health concerns for the caregivers and children. To better understand these circumstances, researchers analyzed cross-sectional data from the National Survey of Children's Health, comparing caretaker responses from 2400 grandparent-headed households and 78,000 parent-headed households with children aged 3 to 17 years. Results were as follows:

Grandparent-headed households had lower income and higher proportions of non-Hispanic Black children and children with health concerns.
Children living in grandparent-headed households had higher rates of all seven adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including divorce…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

What Are the Stresses of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren?

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Reviewing Author