Top

Published in:

29-04-2021 | Review

Using the intergenerational solidarity framework to understand the grandparent–grandchild relationship: a scoping review

Authors: Mathilde Duflos, Caroline Giraudeau

Published in: European Journal of Ageing | Issue 2/2022

Abstract

Intergenerational interactions and exchange are major components of grandparenting, and the present study sought to examine how the intergenerational solidarity framework has been used to investigate grandparenting practices across the lifespan and in different cultures. This framework is widely used across cultures and provides a basis to discuss the future of grandparenting research, considering cultural intermingling and changes in society. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched three databases (PsycInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science). Finally, 42 empirical studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in this scoping review. They were published between 1991 and 2020 and assessed intergenerational solidarity between grandparents and their grandchildren. Our findings show that research on grandparenting based on the intergenerational solidarity framework has increased in the last 30 years, and that this model provides a comprehensive approach to studying grandparenting across the lifespan in different cultures. The present study identified cross-cultural differences in the prevalence of the types of intergenerational solidarity. Affectual solidarity was shown to be the most studied dimension of intergenerational solidarity in North America, Europe and Israel, while normative solidarity was the most represented in Asian studies. The only Australian study investigated affectual and functional solidarity. This model is thus suitable for studying grandparenting, but further studies are needed to investigate changes in intergenerational solidarity between grandparents and their grandchildren at different stages of development and account for cultural specificities.

Albuquerque PC (2011) Grandparents in multigenerational households: the case of Portugal. Eur J Ageing 8(3):189–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-011-0196-2CrossRef

Allen K, Henderson A, Murray M (2019) Theoretical approaches to grandparenting. In: Hayslip B Jr, Fruhauf CA (eds) Grandparenting: influences on the dynamics of family relationships. Springer, New York

Amato P, Booth A (1997) A generation at risk: growing up in an era of family upheaval. Harvard, CambridgeCrossRef

Attar-Schwartz S (2015) Emotional closeness to parents and grandparents: a moderated mediation model predicting adolescent adjustment. Am J Orthopsychiatry 85(5):495–503. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000082CrossRef

Attar-Schwartz S, Fuller-Thomson E (2017) Adolescents’ closeness to paternal grandmothers in the face of parents’ divorce. Child Youth Serv Rev 77:118–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.04.008CrossRef

Bandura A (1977) Social Learning Theory. Prentice Hall

Bengtson VL, Black KD (1973) Intergenerational relations and continuities in socialization. In: Life-span developmental psychology. Academic Press, pp 207–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-077150-9.50015-0

Bengtson VL, Mangen DJ (1988) Family intergenerational solidarity revisited. In: Mangen DJ, Bengtson VL, Landry PH (eds) Measurement of intergenerational relations. Sage Publication Inc, Newbury, pp 222–238

Bengtson VL, Roberts REL (1991) Intergenerational solidarity in aging families: an example of formal theory construction. J Marriage Fam 53(4):856–870. https://doi.org/10.2307/352993CrossRef

Bengtson VL, Schrader S (1982) Parent–child relations. In: Mangen D, Peterson WA (eds) Research instruments in social gerontology, vol 2. University of Minnesota Press. Blieszner, Minneapolis, pp 115–186

Bengtson V, Giarrusso R, Mabry J, Silverstein M (2002) Solidarity, conflict, and ambivalence: complementary or competing perspectives on intergenerational relationships. J Marriage Family 64(3):568–576. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2002.00568.xCrossRef

Bordone V, Arpino B, Aassve A (2017) Patterns of grandparental child care across Europe: the role of the policy context and working mothers’ need. Ageing Soc 37(4):845–873. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X1600009XCrossRef

Bowlby J (1980) Attachment and Loss, vol 3. Basic Books, New York, NY

Bronfenbrenner U (1979) The ecology of human development. Harvard University, Boston

Celdrán M, Triadó C, Villar F (2011) “My grandparent has dementia”: how adolescents perceive their relationship with grandparents with a cognitive impairment. J Appl Gerontol 30(3):332–352. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464810368402CrossRef

Chen F, Liu G, Mair CA (2011) Intergenerational ties in context: grandparents caring for grandchildren in china. Soc Forces 90(2):571–594. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/sor012CrossRef

Chun JS, Lee J (2006) Intergenerational solidarity in Korean immigrant families. J Intergenerational Relationsh 4(2):6–21. https://doi.org/10.1300/J194v04n02_02CrossRef

Cicerelli VG (1991) Attachment theory in old age: Protection of the attached figure. In: Pillemer K, McCartney K (eds) Parent–child relations throughout life. NJ7 Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, pp 2–42

Cooney TM, Smith LA (1996) Young adults’ relations with grandparents following recent parental divorce. J Gerontol-Ser B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 51(2):91–95. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/51B.2.S91CrossRef

Donorfio LK, Kellett K (2006) Filial responsibility and transitions involved: a qualitative exploration of caregiving daughters and frail mothers. J Adult Dev 13:158–167CrossRef

Dubas JS (2001) How gender moderates the grandparent-grandchild relationship, a comparison of kin-keeper and kin-selector theories. J Family Iss 22(4):478–492CrossRef

Dunifon RE, Ziol-Guest KM, Kopko K (2014) Grandparent coresidence and family well-being: implications for research and policy. Ann Am Acad Political Soc Sci 654(1):110–126. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716214526530CrossRef

Elder GH (1998) The life course as developmental theory. Child Dev 69(1):1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.1998.tb06128.xCrossRef

Even-Zohar A (2011) Intergenerational solidarity between adult grandchildren and their grandparents with different levels of functional ability. J Intergenerational Relationsh 9(2):128–145. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2011.567915CrossRef

Even-Zohar A, Sharlin S (2009) Grandchildhood: adult grandchildren’s perception of their role towards their grandparents from an intergenerational perspective. J Comp Fam Stud 40(2):167–185. https://doi.org/10.3138/jcfs.40.2.167CrossRef

Freeman JD, Elton J, Lambert South A (2019) “A Second-chance at being a parent”: grandparent caregivers’ reported communication and parenting practices with co-residential grandchildren. J Fam Commun 19(3):261–276. https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2019.1632864CrossRef

Fruhauf CA, Jarrott SE, Allen KR (2006) Grandchildren’s perceptions of caring for grandparents. J Fam Issues 27:887–911. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X05286019CrossRef

Giarrusso R, Stallings M, Bengtson VL (1995) The intergenerational stake hypothesis revisited: Parent–child differences in perceptions of relationships 20 years later. In: Bengtson VL, Schaie KW, Burton LM (eds) Adult intergenerational relations: Effects of societal change. Springer Publishing Company, pp 227–296

Giarusso R, Feng D, Silverstein M, Bengtson VL (2001) Grandparent-adult grandchild affection and consensus. Cross-generational and cross-ethnic comparisons. J Fam Issues 22(4):456–477CrossRef

Giraudeau C, Duflos M, Chasseigne G (2020) Adolescents’ conceptions of “good” grandparents: a reversal theory approach. J Intergenerational Relationsh 00(00):1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2020.1804034CrossRef

Goode WJ (1960) A theory of role strain. American Sociolog Rev 25(4):483–496. https://doi.org/10.2307/2092933CrossRef

Goodman CC, Silverstein M (2001) Grandmothers who parent their grandchildren an exploratory study of close relations across three generations. J Fam Issues 22(5):557–578. https://doi.org/10.1177/019251301022005002CrossRef

Hakoyama M, MaloneBeach EE (2014) Young adults’ perceptions of closeness with their grandparents and attitudes toward aging. Int J Aging Soc 3(4):53–66. https://doi.org/10.18848/2160-1909/CGPCrossRef

Hakoyama M, Ko HJ, MaloneBeach E (2020) Value similarities with grandparents among college students: gender, family lineage, and relationship closeness. J Intergenerational Relationsh 00(00):1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2020.1739587CrossRef

Han WJ, Whetung T, Mao X (2020) One roof, three generations: grandparental co-residence and child outcomes in China. Fam Process 59(3):1144–1160. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12484CrossRef

Heider F (1958) The psychology of interpersonal relations. John Wiley, New YorkCrossRef

Higgins JPT, López-López JA, Becker BJ, Davies SR, Dawson S, Grimshaw JM, Caldwell DM (2019) Synthesising quantitative evidence in systematic reviews of complex health interventions. BMJ Glob Health 4(Suppl 1):e000858. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-000858CrossRef

Hoff A (2007) Patterns of intergenerational support in grandparent-grandchild and parent-child relationships in Germany. Ageing Soc 27(5):643–665. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X07006095CrossRef

Homans GF (1950) The human group. Harcourt, Brace and World, New York

Homans GC (1958) Social behavior as exchange. American J Sociol 63:597–606CrossRef

Huo M, Kim K, Zarit SH, Fingerman KL (2018) Support grandparents give to their adult grandchildren. J Gerontol-Ser B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 73(6):1006–1015. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbw208CrossRef

Igel C, Szydlik M (2011) Grandchild care and welfare state arrangements in Europe. J Eur Soc Policy 21(3):210–224. https://doi.org/10.1177/0958928711401766CrossRef

Igel C, Brandt M, Haberkern K, Szydlik M (2009) Specialization between family and state intergenerational time transfers in Western Europe Author (s): Corinne Igel, Martina Brandt, Klaus Haberkern and Marc Szydlik source: journal of comparative family studies vol 40, no 2, aging: families. J Comp Fam Stud 40(2):203–226CrossRef

Ihara ES, Horio BM, Tompkins CJ (2012) Grandchildren caring for grandparents: modeling the complexity of family caregiving. J Soc Serv Res 38(5):619–636. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2012.711684CrossRef

Ingersoll-Dayton B, Tangchonlatip K, Punpuing S, Yakas L (2018) Relationships between grandchildren and grandparents in skipped generation families in Thailand. J Intergenerational Relationsh 16(3):256–274. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2018.1477646CrossRef

Jappens M, Bavel J. Van (2020) Grandparent-grandchild relationships and grandchildren’ s well-being after parental divorce in Flanders, Belgium. Does lineage matter? J Fam Res 32(1):1–24CrossRef

Jappens M, Van Bavel J (2016) Parental divorce, residence arrangements and contact between grandchildren and grandparents. J Marriage Fam 78(2):451–467. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12275CrossRef

Jappens M, Van Bavel J (2020) Grandparent-grandchild relationships and grandchildren’s well-being after parental divorce in Flanders, Belgium. Does lineage matter? J Fam Res 32(1):1–24CrossRef

Kemp CL (2004) “Grand” expectations: the experiences of grandparents and adult grandchildren. Canadian J Sociol 29(4):499–525

Kivett VR (1996) The saliency of the grandmother-granddaughter relationship: predictors of association. J Women Aging 8(3–4):25–39. https://doi.org/10.1300/J074v08n03_03CrossRef

Krzyżowski Ł (2011) In the trap of intergenerational solidarity: FamilY care in poland’s ageing society. Polish Sociol Rev 173(1):55–78

Lakomý M, Kreidl M (2015) Full-time versus part-time employment: Does it influence frequency of grandparental childcare? Eur J Ageing 12(4):321–331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-015-0349-9CrossRef

LaRossa R, Reitzes DC (1993) Symbolic interaction and family studies. In: Boss PG, Doherty WJ, LaRossa R, Schumm WR, Steinmetz SK (eds) Sourcebook of family theories and methods: a contextual approach. Springer, New-York, pp 135–163CrossRef

Levac D, Colquhoun H, O’Brien KK (2010) Introduction: rationality. Implement Sci 5(69):1–18. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-5-69CrossRef

Lussier G, Deater-Deckard K, Dunn J, Davies L (2002) Support across two generations: children’s closeness to grandparents following parentaldivorce and remarriage. J Family Psychol 16(3):363–376. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.16.3.363CrossRef

Lou VWQ, Lu N, Xu L, Chi I (2013) Grandparent-grandchild family capital and self-rated health of older rural Chinese adults: The role of the grandparent-parent relationship. J Gerontol-Ser B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 68(4):599–608. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbt040CrossRef

Luescher K, Pillemer K (1998) Intergenerational ambivalence: A new approach to the study of parent-child relations in later life. J Marriage Fam 60(2):413–425. https://doi.org/10.2307/353858CrossRef

Maehara T, Takemura A (2007) The norms of filial piety and grandmother roles as perceived by grandmothers and their grandchildren in Japan and South Korea. Int J Behav Dev 31(6):585–593. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025407080588CrossRef

MaloneBeach EE, Hakoyama M, Arnold S (2018) The good grandparent: perspectives of young adults. Marriage Fam Rev 54(6):582–597. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2017.1414724CrossRef

Mann R, Khan HTA, Leeson GW (2013) Variations in grandchildren’s perceptions of their grandfathers and grandmothers: dynamics of age and gender. J Intergenerational Relationsh 11(4):380–395. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2013.839326CrossRef

Mansson DH, Floyd K, Soliz J (2017) Affectionate communication is associated with emotional and relational resources in the grandparent-grandchild relationship. J Intergenerational Relationsh 15(2):85–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2017.1294007CrossRef

Masfety VK, Aarnink C, Otten R, Bitfoi A, Mihova Z, Lesinskiene S, Carta MG, Goelitz D, Husky M (2019) Three-generation households and child mental health in European countries. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 54(4):427–436. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1640-9CrossRef

McCubbin HI, Patterson JM (1983) The family stress process. Marriage Fam Rev 6:7–37. https://doi.org/10.1300/J002v06n01_02CrossRef

Micah DJP, Godfrey C, Khalil H, Mcinerney P, Parker D, Baldini CS (2015) Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews. Int J Evid Based Healthc 13:141–146. https://doi.org/10.1097/XEB.0000000000000050CrossRef

Michels T, Albert I, Ferring D (2011) Emotional relations with grandparents and received support: the adolescent view. J Intergenerational Relationsh 9(3):264–280. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2011.593435CrossRef

Mills TL (1999) When grandchildren grow up: role transition and family solidarity among baby boomer grandchildren and their grandparents. J Aging Stud 13(2):219–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0890-4065(99)80052-8CrossRef

Mills TL, Wakeman MA, Fea CB (2001) Mills2001. pdf. J Fam Iss 22(4):427–455CrossRef

Minkler M, Fuller-Thomson E (2000) Second time around parenting: factors predictive of grandparents becoming caregivers for their grandchildren. Int J Aging Hum Dev 50(3):185–200. https://doi.org/10.2190/7Y1M-UNRT-9BP4-BWL1CrossRef

Minuchin P (1974) Families and family therapy. Harvard University Press, CambridgeCrossRef

Minuchin P (2002) Looking toward the horizon: present and future in the study of family systems. In: McHale S, Grolnick W (eds) Retrospect and prospect in the psychological study of families. Erlbaum, Mahwah, pp 259–278

Miron AM, Thompson AE, McFadden SH, Ebert AR (2017) Young adults’ concerns and coping strategies related to their interactions with their grandparents and great-grandparents with dementia. Dementia (London, England). https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301217700965CrossRef

Monserud MA (2008) Intergenerational relationships and affectual solidarity between grandparents and young adults. J Marriage Fam 70:182–195CrossRef

Monserud MA (2011) Changes in grandchildren’s adult role statuses and their relationships with grandparents. J Fam Issues 32(4):1–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X10384466.ChangesCrossRef

Moorman SM, Stokes JE (2016) Solidarity in the grandparent-adult grandchild relationship and trajectories of depressive symptoms. Gerontologist 56(3):408–420. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnu056CrossRef

Moos RH (1990) Conceptual and empirical approaches to developing family-based assessment procedures: resolving the case of the family environment scale. Family process 29(2):199–211. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.1990.00199.xCrossRef

National Alliance for Caregiving. (2015, June). Caregivers of older adults: A focused look at those caring for someone age 50+. https://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2015_ CaregivingintheUS_Care-Recipients-Over-50_WEB.pdf

Parker EM, Short SE (2009) Grandmother co-residence and school enrollment in sub-Saharan Africa. J Fam Issues 30(6):813–836. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X09331921CrossRef

Piercy KW, Chapman JG (2001) Adopting the caregiver role: a family legacy. Fam Relat 50(4):386–393. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2001.00386.xCrossRef

Roberts REL, Richards LN, Bengtson V (1991) Intergenerational solidarity in families. Marriage Fam Rev 16(1–2):11–46. https://doi.org/10.1300/J002v16n01_02CrossRef

Robertson JF (1975) Interaction in three generation families, parents as mediators: toward a theoretical perspective. Int J Aging HumanDev 6(2):103–110. https://doi.org/10.2190/GPFM-TFM5-9Y8Y-LHAKCrossRef

Ross MET, Aday LA (2006) Stress and coping in African American grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. J Fam Issues 27(7):912–932. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X06287167CrossRef

Rosow I (1985) Status and role change through the life cycle. In: Binstock RH, Shanas E (eds) Handbook of aging and the social sciences, 2nd edn. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, NY, pp 62–93

Schilmoeller GL, Baranowski MD (1998) Intergenerational support in families with disabilities: grandparents’ perspectives. Fam Soc 79(5):465–476. https://doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.714CrossRef

Silverstein M, Long JD (1998) Trajectories of grandparents’ perceived solidarity with adult grandchildren: a growth curve analysis over 23 years. J Marriage Fam 60(4):912. https://doi.org/10.2307/353634CrossRef

Silverstein M, Giarrusso R, Bengtson VL (1998) Intergenerational solidarity and the grandparent role. In: Szinovacz M (ed) Handbook on grandparenthood. Greenwood Publishing Group, Westport, pp 144–158

Soliz JE, Lin M-C, Anderson K, Harwood J (2006) Friends and allies: communication in the grandparent-grandchild relationship. In: Floyd K, Morman MT (eds) Widening the family circle. Sage, Thousand Oaks, pp 65–79CrossRef

Szydlik M (2008) Intergenerational solidarity and conflict. J Comp Family Stud 39:97–114CrossRef

Szinovacz ME (1998) Grandparents today: a demographic profile. Gerontologist 38:37–52. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/38.1.37CrossRef

Tavitian ML, Lubiner J, Green L, Grebstein LC et al (1987) Dimensions of family functioning. J Soc Beh Pers 2(2):191–204

Taylor MF, Coall DA, Karthigesu S (2019) Who’ll care for them in the event of me dying? Custodial grandparents’ incapacity, mortality, and succession care-plan fears for their custodial grandchild/ren. J Intergenerational Relationsh 17(2):178–200. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2018.1535344CrossRef

Tönnies F (1957) Community and society. Michigan State University Press, East Lansing (Translated and edited by Charles P. Loomis)

Tricco AC, Lillie E, Zarin W, O’Brien KK, Colquhoun H, Levac D, Straus SE (2018) PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation. Ann Intern Med 169(7):467–473. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850CrossRef

Waites CE (2006) Grandparents communicating with grandchildren: fostering intergenerational understanding. J health soc policy 22(3–4):149–165. https://doi.org/10.1300/j045v22n03_10CrossRef

Wetzel M, Hank K (2020) Grandparents’ relationship to grandchildren in the transition to adulthood. J Fam Issues 41(10):1885–1904. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X19894355CrossRef

White JM, Klein DM (2002) Chapter 2: The social exchange and choice framework. Family theories (2nd ed.). Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp 32–57

Williams A, Guendouzi J (2005) Constructing family relationships: intimacy, harmony and social value in accounts of sheltered retirement community residents. J Aging Stud 19(4):453–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2004.10.002CrossRef

Wise R, Onol A (2020) Intergenerational relationships and aging anxiety among emerging adults in Turkey. J Intergenerational Relationsh 00(00):1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2020.1730293CrossRef

Wood S, Liossis P (2007) Potentially stressful life events and emotional closeness between grandparents and adult grandchildren. J Fam Issues 28(3):380–398. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X06293893CrossRef

Wyss M, Nedelcu M (2019) Grandparents on the move: a multilevel framework analysis to understand diversity in zero-generation care arrangements in Switzerland. Global Netw 20(2):343–361. https://doi.org/10.1111/glob.12250RobertsonCrossRef

Xu H (2019) Physical and mental health of Chinese grandparents caring for grandchildren and great-grandparents. Soc Sci Med 1982(229):106–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.05.047CrossRef

Xu L, Chi I (2018) Determinants of support exchange between grandparents and grandchildren in rural China: the roles of grandparent caregiving, patrilineal heritage, and emotional bonds. J Fam Issues 39(3):579–601. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X16662102CrossRef

Title: Using the intergenerational solidarity framework to understand the grandparent–grandchild relationship: a scoping review
Authors: Mathilde Duflos
Caroline Giraudeau
Publication date: 29-04-2021
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: European Journal of Ageing / Issue 2/2022
Print ISSN: 1613-9372
Electronic ISSN: 1613-9380
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-021-00626-6

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Using the intergenerational solidarity framework to understand the grandparent–grandchild relationship: a scoping review

Abstract

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 2/2022

Changes in socioeconomic differentials in old age life expectancy in four Nordic countries: the impact of educational expansion and education-specific mortality

Frailty at Risk Scale (FARS): development and application

Health system reforms and the needs of the ageing population—an analysis of recent policy paths and reform trends in Finland and Sweden

Choice models in nordic long-term care: care managers' experiences of privilege and disadvantage among older adults

The association between supportive social ties and autonomic nervous system function—differences between family ties and friendship ties in a cohort of older adults

Social inequalities in ageing in the Nordic countries