Positive Health Behavior Changes in Custodial Grandparents and Grandchildren Following an Intervention

Christine A. Fruhauf, Angela Nancy Mendoza, Aimee L. Fox, Heather Greenwood-Junkermeier, Nathaniel R. Riggs and Loriena A. Yancura
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Christine A. Fruhauf: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Angela Nancy Mendoza: College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Aimee L. Fox: Center on Aging, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Heather Greenwood-Junkermeier: Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
Nathaniel R. Riggs: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Loriena A. Yancura: Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: Background: Custodial grandparents experience greater physical health declines and higher rates of depression than their same-age peers who do not provide care, and grandchildren in grandfamilies often have behavior problems. However, few researchers have explored the impact of self-care education on decreasing these negative outcomes. Our study examined how a self-care and life-skills intervention influenced health behavior change in a sample of grandparents and grandchildren. Methods: Data were collected during eleven focus groups (and two interviews) with 55 grandparents, and one focus group with five grandchildren, at 6 months after the 6-week intervention detailed in this paper. Grandparents ranged in age from 46 to 84 years old ( M = 62.19, SD = 8.24). Participating grandchildren ranged in age from 9 to 12 years old. Focus group transcripts were coded for content related to grandparents’ and grandchildren’s positive behavior changes following the intervention. Findings: Grandparents reported taking more time for themselves, reducing negative self-talk, increasing healthy physical choices, and having better communication skills after participating in the intervention. Similarly, grandchildren reported increased confidence in making friends, making good decisions, and getting along with others. Findings suggest that a self-care and life skills program show promise for improving the health and wellness of grandfamilies.

Keywords: grandfamilies; self-care practices; strengths-based approaches; health and wellness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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