Research Conference Presentation
Transcript: Jade A. Watters Brenda Smith, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Social Work SAEOPP McNair/ SSS Scholars Research Conference – June 23, 2012 The University of Alabama McNair Scholars Program For 1.6 million children, or 2.2% of all U.S. children, grandparents provide care with no parent in the household (US Census, 2011). Improves life satisfaction Often Stressful Health problems (Grinstead, Leder, & Jensen, 2003) Stress effects (Muslin, Gordon, & Warner, 2010) Relationship conflict (Goodman, Ernades,& Silverstein, 2008) 1. How are grandparent caregivers planning for the future placement of their grandchildren? 2. What do grandparent caregivers perceive as influences on their engagement in future planning? Do they feel influenced by religiosity or health status? 3. How do grandparent caregivers view receiving legal and/or formal assistance with future placement planning? Informal vs. Formal “It was more of an informal discussion. Just thinking out loud I guess.”- (Participant 1, age 65) “…Right now if something happen to me I have Pastor H. as a caregiver and my brother, his uncle I have it on paper.”- (Participant 4, age 60) “You know and seriously it seem like I enjoyed being a grandma/mom and dad.”- ( Participant 4, age 60) “I breathe my grandchildren, that’s what I live for”- (Participant 5, age 60) “I am much more caring, more giving, just a whole new positive outlook on life because of him. He’s changed my life for the better.”- (Participant 3, age 53) “I know a lot of it is a sacrifice, I know it is, but it is so worth it.”- (Participant 3, age 53) Interview 3 more grandparent caregivers in the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham area. Barth, R., Lee, C., Wildfire, J., & Guo, S. (2006). A comparison of the governmental cost of long-term foster care and adoption. Social service review. Dr. Brenda Smith, Associate Professor of the School of Social Work, The University of Alabama Leedy, P. & Ormrod, J. (2010). Practical research: Planning and design. New York, NY: Pearson Education Inc. Grinstead, L., Leder, S., Jensen, S., & Bond, L. (2003). Review of research on the health of caregiving grandparents. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 44(3) Pruchno, R.&McKenney, D. (2002). Psychological well-being of black and white grandmothers raising grandchildren: Examination of a two-factor model. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 57B(5), 444-452. Sun, Y. & Li, Y.(2011). Effects of family structure type and stability on children’s academic performance trajectories. Journal of Marriage and Family, 73, 541-556. U.S. Census. (2011). Facts for features: Grandparents day 2011:Sept. 11. U.S. Census Bureau News, U.S. Department of Commerce. CB11-FF.17, August 26, 2011. Convenience sampling Snowball, Organization affiliation Thank you for your time! Modified/ Noted interesting themes 3. What influences have shaped your current feelings about the future or planning for it? Transcribed Methods Research Questions Grandparent Caregivers: Making Plans for the Future Placement of Their Grandchildren 2. When you think about planning for future care of your grandchild(ren), what are your hopes and fears? “If it’s trustworthy I would. If they would do right, but you know the system.”- (Participant 5, age 60) 1. What resources do you have that will properly assist you in planning for the future care of your grandchild? Investigate surprising themes found in this data set “(I felt) obligated and wanted to because it’s all about their welfare.”- (Participant 2, age 51) “I felt obligated to step in”- (Participant 3, age 53) “It's just somebody's life, you know if you can help or if you think you can help. You may not help as much as you think you can. But if you think you can then...yea it’s just your obligation.”- (Participant 1, age 65) Overlooking Planning July 2012: Ages 51-65 Based on participant responses, a program that assisted grandparent caregivers with making legal arrangements concerning the future placement of their grandchildren would be welcomed under certain circumstances. “I guess I still have my life on hold because I still don’t care about…I just wanna make sure that he get what he need.”- ( Participant 4, age 60) Feelings of Obligation “I don't trust anyone with my children as far as like 100% other than my family.”- ( Participant 2, age 51) Pride in Role Participants screened prior to selection. Research Procedures Preliminary Findings #1 Roll Tide! Faith in Family Bonds Preliminary Findings #3 Future Invention Impact on Caregivers Measures “You just have to take a stand or do what's right or as you see is right despite your comfort or what you have to have to give up because it will be worth it in the end.”- (Participant 1, age 65) References Disrupted family structure ( Sun & Li, 2011) Higher foster care costs ( Barth, Lee, Wildfire, 2006) Preliminary Findings #2 Explore why grandparent caregivers reported to have made legal financial arrangements for their grandchildren, but not legal placement arrangements Emerging