Custodial grandparents, adults who are caring for their grandchildren on a full-time basis, are becoming more prevalent in the United States.... Show moreCustodial grandparents, adults who are caring for their grandchildren on a full-time basis, are becoming more prevalent in the United States. Although literature examining the occurrence and impact of these families is common in the gerontology field, only recently has this issue been called to attention in young to middle-aged caregivers (early custodial grandparents). Early grandparents, aged 30-45 years, constitute only a small portion of the custodial grandparents; however, they have been suggested to be at the greatest risk for the negative outcomes associated with providing custodial care. Research has indicated, however, that coping strategies may effectively buffer against potential negative outcomes. Little research has been conducted to examine the utilization and benefit of employing specific coping strategies in young custodial grandparents. The current study explored the stress process model and forms of adaptive coping in community sample of 95 young custodial grandmothers (<45 years) raising their grandchildren. The utilization and effectiveness of various forms of coping on caregiving grandparent depression, well-being, and health status were examined. Coping was explored as a potential moderator in a modified stress process model. In addition, the role of subjective social support as a mediator of grandparent stress and subsequent ratings of depression, well-being, and health were evaluated. Results demonstrated that young custodial grandmothers experienced parenting stress levels equivalent to their older counterparts, however, neither stress nor negative appraisals of caregiving led to negative outcomes. Subjective Social Support did not mediate the relationship between stress and caregiver outcomes. Additionally, study results indicated that caregiver appraisals were x not significant mediators of stress and outcomes. Findings provided evidence for the buffering effect of both emotion-focused and problem-focused coping. PH.D in Psychology, December 2012 Show less
