New grandparents’ mental health: the protective role of optimism, self-mastery, and social support
- Authors:
- SHLOMO Shirley Ben, TAUBMAN-BEN-ARI Orit
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Family Social Work, 15(4), July 2012, pp.254-271.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
First-time grandparents report conflicting feelings in the wake of the transition to their new role. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of optimism, self-mastery, perceived social support, and background variables (age, physical health, economic status) to mental health following the transition to grandparenthood. The sample consisted of 257 first-time Israeli grandparents (156 grandmothers and 101 grandfathers), of whom 151 were maternal grandparents and 106 were paternal grandparents. The participants were asked to complete a series of self-report questionnaires. Analysis was conducted to examine: differences between grandparents by gender and lineage; associations between mental health and the independent variables; and the unique and combined contribution of the independent variables to the mental health of new grandparents. The results indicate the importance of internal and external resources, as well as of health and economic status, for the mental health of new grandparents. The value of designing relevant preventive interventions by family social workers to assist grandparents in coping with their new role is discussed.
- Subject terms:
- mental health, mental health problems, social networks, gender, grandparents;
- Content type:
- research
- Location(s):
- Israel
- Link:
- Journal home page
- ISSN online:
- 1540-4072
- ISSN print:
- 1052-2158