The Korean Journal of Community Living Science (한국지역사회생활과학회지)

The Korean Society of Community Living Science (한국지역사회생활과학회)
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Effects of Grandparenting Roles and Generativity on Depression among Grandmothers Providing Care for Grandchildren

손자녀를 돌보는 조모의 역할특성과 생성감이 노년기 우울감에 미치는 영향

  • 송승민 (수원대학교 아동가족복지학과) ;
  • 차승은 (수원대학교 아동가족복지학과) ;
  • 최영희 (수원대학교 아동가족복지학과) ;
  • 정윤경 (한남대학교 사회복지학과)
  • Received : 2015.04.01
  • Accepted : 2015.05.24
  • Published : 2015.05.31
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Abstract

This study examines the relationships between grandparenting roles, elderly generativity, and depressive symptoms. Data were collected from 129 grandmothers who helped raise grandchildren attending daycare centers. Grandparenting roles were assessed as generational transferers, caretakers, emotional supporters, and educators. Elderly generativity and depressive symptoms were evaluated based on the Loyola Generativity Scale and CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies on Depression Scale), respectively. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and regression analysis methods. According to the results, grandmothers were most likely to play a role as caretakers, and there were differences across factors correlated with grandparenting roles. More specifically, daily hours spent on grandparenting and years of grandparenting were related to the caretaker role, and a high level of education was related to the educator role. Poor health was correlated with the generational initiator role. According to correlation and regression analyses, grandmothers who had access to more economic resources and who served as educators, emotional supporters, or generation initiators were more likely to show generativity. In addition, the higher the generativity, the less likely the depressive symptom was. These results have important implications for developing programs that can help grandparents raise preschool-aged grandchildren and suggest some interesting avenues for future research.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : Korean Research Foundation

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