Is grandparenting a form of social engagement that benefits cognition in ageing?
Abstract
Social engagement is a lifestyle factor that has received much attention in preventative research. Numerous studies in the current literature have argued the importance of social engagement in ageing, particularly for cognitive health. One key example of social engagement in later life is the role of a grandparent. This role promotes a socially active lifestyle that may be beneficial to cognitive ageing. Recent research has found that spending some time with grandchildren is beneficial; however, the pressures and responsibilities characteristic of this role should also be taken into consideration, as they may have opposing effects on cognitive health. Given the current popularity of grandparenting as a form of childcare, the interests of the grandparents and the impact on ageing health need to be carefully considered.
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Grandparents who provide instrumental (frequent or primary) care often experience psychological distress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, marital strain, and poorer cognitive functioning, comparable to other high-stress caregiving groups.
“Grandparents who provide instrumental (frequent or primary) care often experience psychological distress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, marital strain, and poorer cognitive functioning, comparable to other high-stress caregiving groups (Burn & Szoeke, 2015; Grinstead et al., 2003; Kelley et al., 2021; Minkler & Fuller-Thomson, 2001; Winefield & Air, 2010).”
From Grandparent Caregiving and Epigenetic Aging among Midlife and Older Adults in the United States (2026) · cites this paper as Burn & Szoeke, 2015
Cites
The NIH Cognitive and Emotional Health Project: Report of the Critical Evaluation Study Committee
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Yaffe, K., & Hoang, T. (2013) · Continuum · doi:10.1212/01.con.0000429178.14354.67 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
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Grandparent Caregiving and Epigenetic Aging among Midlife and Older Adults in the United States
Bhat, A. C., Trexberg, K. M., Apsley, A. T., Almeida, D. M., & Shalev, I. (2026) · The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbaf255 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“…care often experience psychological distress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, marital strain, and poorer cognitive functioning, comparable to other high-stress caregiving groups (Burn & Szoeke, 2015; Grinstead et al., 2003; Kelley et al., 2021; Minkler & Fuller-Thomson, 2001; Winefield & Air, 2010).”
- Authors
- Burn, K., & Szoeke, C.
- Affiliations
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- ORCID
- Szoeke, Cassandra
- Venue
- Maturitas
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-02
- Volume
- 80
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 122-125
- ISSN
- 0378-5122 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1974129833
- Cited by
- 81
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 41 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 0.04
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Maturitas (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Alzheimer's Australia
- Australian Menopausal Society
- Brain Foundation
- Alzheimer's Association
- Shepherd Foundation
- Scobie and Claire McKinnon Foundation
- Collier Trust Fund, the Ramaciotti Foundation
- Pharmaceuticals
- J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust
- Piramal Life Sciences
- Mason Foundation
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Keywords
- grandparenting, social engagement, cognitive aging, cognitive health, old age, lifestyle factors
- MeSH terms
- Cognitive Aging, Grandparents, Aging, Child, Child Care, Cognition, Family, Humans, Social Behavior, Social Participation
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