The Mental Health Well-Being of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Issue 4 (19th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kelley, Susan J.; Whitley, Deborah M.; Escarra, Shannon R.; Zheng, Rowena; Horne, Eva M.; Warren, Gordon L.
• Is Part Of: Marriage & family review. Volume 57:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 329
• Page End: 345
• Publication Date: 2021-05-19
• Subjects: grandparents raising grandchildren -- custodial grandparents -- mental health well-being -- stress -- caregivers -- depression -- aging; Family -- United States -- Periodicals; Marriage -- United States -- Periodicals; 306.8
• DOI: 10.1080/01494929.2020.1861163
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-4929

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine if raising grandchildren is related to diminished mental health well-being in custodial grandparents compared to contemporaries who are not raising grandchildren. Relevant studies were identified via comprehensive literature searches of electronic databases. We included six studies in the meta-analysis. A random effects model was used to calculate effect sizes. The results of the meta-analysis yielded a statistically significant, small-to-moderate summary effect size (ES) indicating caregiving grandparents generally experience a larger degree of adverse mental health outcomes than their non-parenting counterparts. While previous studies have produced conflicting results regarding the mental health outcomes experienced by custodial grandparents, the present meta-analysis findings provide another level of evidence that substantiates their emotional vulnerability. Recommendations for subsequent research are discussed.