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Factors Associated with Changes in Visiting Between Grandmothers and Grandchildren Following an Adult Child's Marriage Breakdown

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

James W. Gladstone
James W. Gladstone
Affiliation:
Wilfrid Laurier University
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Abstract

This paper identifies some factors associated with changes in face-to-face contact between grandmothers and grandchildren following a child's marriage breakdown. A qualitative analysis showed that geographic mobility, the appeal of a grandmother's home, employment status of the adult child, and the absence of the child-in-law were related to increases in visiting. Unresolved conflict and difficulties re-negotiating post-breakdown relationships were related to decreases in visiting. These findings as well as implications for service delivery are discussed.

Résumé

Cet article identifie certains facteurs associés aux changements de contacts directs entre les grand-mères et leurs petits enfants suivant le divorce d'un enfant. Une analyse qualitative relève quatre facteurs qui contribuent à l'augmentation des visites: la mobilité géographique, l'attrait du foyer de la grand-mère, la position de l'enfant adulte sur le marché du travail et l'absence du gendre ou de la bru. Par ailleurs, deux facteurs sont attribués à la diminution des visites: les conflits non-résolus et les problèmes d'adaptation au niveau affectif suivant la rupture. Ces constatations ainsi que les répercussions sur le système de soutien sont discutées.

Keywords

visitinggrandmothers/grandchildrenmarriage breakdown
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , Summer/l'été 1987 , pp. 117 - 127
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1987

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