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Cited by 143Intergenerational Family Dynamics and CaregivingNursing care and researchAging, Elder Care, and Social Issues

Review of research on the health of caregiving grandparents

Grinstead, Linda Nicholson, Leder, Sharon, Jensen, Susan, Bond, Linda·2003·Journal of Advanced Nursing
DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02807.x
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Abstract

Aim. To provide a critical review of research literature on the health of grandparents raising grandchildren, and identify directions for future research. Methods. Approaches used to access the research studies for this review included a comprehensive search using relevant electronic databases and a thorough examination of the references in each published study. Findings. All studies but one were published after 1990. Samples consisted primarily of African‐American and Caucasian grandmothers in the United States of America. Earlier studies tended to describe health and other related concepts while more recent studies began to examine relationships between concepts. Most of the studies had a cross‐sectional design and only one evaluated interventions. Inconsistencies in the results of these studies were prevalent. Conclusions. Evaluation studies, longitudinal designs, and more varied study samples including cross‐cultural comparisons are needed to advance knowledge about grandparent caregivers’ health.

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  • This finding echoes other studies showing that grandparent caregivers neglected their own health while caring for their grandchildren.

    “This finding echoes other studies showing that grandparent caregivers neglected their own health while caring for their grandchildren (Grinstead et al., 2003).”

    From Grandparent caregiving in Cambodian skip-generation households: Roles and impact on child nutrition. (2021) · cites this paper as Grinstead et al., 2003

  • 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 Grinstead et al., 2003

  • Grandparent caregivers report poorer self-rated health, increased functional impairment, exacerbation of chronic illness, and higher viral illness transmission compared to non-caregivers.

    “Grandparent caregivers—many managing chronic conditions (Boersma et al., 2020)—report poorer self-rated health, increased functional impairment, exacerbation of chronic illness, and higher viral illness transmission compared to non-caregivers (Choi, 2020; Danielsbacka et al., 2022; Grinstead et al., 2003; Minkler & Fuller-Thomson, 1999).”

    From Grandparent Caregiving and Epigenetic Aging among Midlife and Older Adults in the United States (2026) · cites this paper as Grinstead et al., 2003

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Authors
Grinstead, L. N., Leder, S., Jensen, S., & Bond, L.
Affiliations
Grand Valley State University (US)
Venue
Journal of Advanced Nursing
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2003-10-20
Volume
44
Issue
3
Pages
318-326
ISSN
  • 0309-2402 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2648
DOI
10.1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02807.x
OpenAlex
W1995153163
Cited by
143
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 11
FWCI
0.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Journal of Advanced Nursing (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
Keywords
grandparent caregivers, caregiver health, health outcomes, African American grandmothers, caregiver burden, research gaps, cross-cultural comparison
MeSH terms
Child Rearing, Child, Preschool, Health Status, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Parents, Research Design, Intergenerational Relations, Caregivers

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