Article
Parenting stress, depression, and parenting in grandmothers raising their grandchildren

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0190-7409(99)00027-4Get rights and content

Abstract

The association among parenting stress, depression, and parenting was examined in 82 grandmothers raising their grandchildren. Results showed that parenting stress had a significant effect on depression, and depression had a significant effect on inconsistent parenting practices. Implications of these findings for professionals working with grandmothers raising their grandchildren are discussed.

References (33)

  • H.D. Chilcoat et al.

    Parent monitoring on initiation of drug use through late childhood

    Journal of the Academy of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry

    (1995)
  • R.D. Conger et al.

    Perception of child, child-rearing values, and emotional distress as mediating links between environmental stressors and observed maternal behavior

    Child Development

    (1984)
  • K.A. Crnic et al.

    Minor parenting stress with young children

    Child Development

    (1990)
  • S. Crockenberg

    Predictors and correlates of anger toward and punitive control of toddlers by adolescent mothers

    Child Development

    (1987)
  • L.R. Derogratis et al.

    The brief symptom inventory: An introductory report

    Psychological Medicine

    (1983)
  • D.S. Elliot et al.

    Explaining delinquency and drug use

    (1985)
  • Cited by (35)

    • Exploring the behavior of juveniles and young adults raised by custodial grandmothers

      2016, Children and Youth Services Review
      Citation Excerpt :

      While custodial grandmothers may report feeling anxious, exhausted, depressed, or simply overwhelmed by their new role of raising young children, it is suggested that caregiver distress could negatively impact the children as well. More specifically, there is a large body of research that suggests that caregiver distress is more likely to lead to inconsistent parenting practices (Rodgers-Farmer, 1999; Smith et al., 2008), leading to poor adjustment of the child (Dolbin-MacNab & Keiley, 2006; Hayslip & Kaminski, 2005; Kelley et al., 2011; Shelton & Harold, 2008; Smith et al., 2008), and putting youth raised by distressed custodial grandmothers at an increased risk of experiencing difficulties in various areas (Smith & Palmieri, 2007). Despite the fact that the studies referenced above have shown some positive outcomes for youth raised by grandparents, other research points to potential deficits.

    • Social support, family competence, and informal kinship caregiver parenting stress: The mediating and moderating effects of family resources

      2016, Children and Youth Services Review
      Citation Excerpt :

      Parenting stress has a negative impact on parenting capacity and on the grandparent caregiver's own development. In her study of 82 grandparent caregivers, Rodgers-Farmer's (1999) revealed that scores on a modified version of the Parental Stress Scale (Berry & Jones, 1995) were associated with depression and depression had a significant effect on inconsistent parenting practices. Using the same measure of parenting stress, Landry-Meyer, Gerard, and Guzzell's (2005) found that parenting stress experienced by 133 full-time grandparent caregivers was associated with lower levels of life satisfaction and generativity (contributions to future generations).

    • Primary Caregiver Influence on Youth Correctional Misconduct

      2022, Journal of Child and Family Studies
    View all citing articles on Scopus

    This research was supported by a grant from the Rutgers University Research Council.

    View full text