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Parenting stress of grandparents and other kin as informal kinship caregivers: A mixed methods study

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  • Lee, Eunju
  • Clarkson-Hendrix, Michael
  • Lee, Yeonggeul

Abstract

Informal kinship caregivers provide the majority of out of home care to children who can no longer safely stay with their biological parent. Yet their parenting challenges are understudied since they are often left out from child welfare and other service systems. This mixed methods study, using a survey and focus groups of grandparent and other kin, examined predictors and sources of parenting stress. Quantitative findings suggested that the kinship family's needs and the caregiver's health and emotional well-being adversely affected parenting stress. Grandparent caregivers experienced an elevated level of parenting stress compared to other kin caregivers. Qualitative findings suggested that financial strains, concerns over children's behavior, navigating service systems and difficult relationships with birth parents contributed to their stress. It appeared that grandparent caregivers faced special challenges due to generational gaps, guilt and concerns over birth parents.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Eunju & Clarkson-Hendrix, Michael & Lee, Yeonggeul, 2016. "Parenting stress of grandparents and other kin as informal kinship caregivers: A mixed methods study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 29-38.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:69:y:2016:i:c:p:29-38
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.07.013
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Hoffmeister, Michael, 2024. "Inequitable access to relative caregiving: Implications of foster care regulations in Finland, New Zealand, and the United States," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
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    5. Gibson, Stephen M. & Cryer-Coupet, Qiana R. & Knox, Jerica L. & Field, Kimberly, 2020. "Father involvement in kinship care: A risk and resilience perspective," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    6. Sharda, Elizabeth A. & Sutherby, Carolyn G. & Cavanaugh, Daniel L. & Hughes, Anne K. & Woodward, Amanda T., 2019. "Parenting stress, well-being, and social support among kinship caregivers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 74-80.
    7. Washington, Tyreasa & Despard, Mathieu, 2024. "Making a way out of no way: The importance of improving financial instability among African American kinship care families," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    8. Wang, Hao & Fidrmuc, Jan & Luo, Qi, 2020. "Grandparenting and well-being of the elderly in China," BOFIT Discussion Papers 18/2020, Bank of Finland Institute for Emerging Economies (BOFIT).
    9. Aiyar, Ria & Due, Clemence & Taylor, Amanda M. & Sawyer, Alyssa C.P., 2023. "The wellbeing and support experiences of parents and caregivers from South and Southeast Asian refugee backgrounds during the First 2000 Days: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    10. Lin, Ching-Hsuan, 2018. "The relationships between child well-being, caregiving stress, and social engagement among informal and formal kinship care families," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 203-216.
    11. Van Holen, Frank & Van Loock, Julie & Belenger, Laurence & Vanderfaeillie, Johan, 2017. "Concept mapping the needs of grandmothers who take care of their grandchildren in formal foster care in Flanders," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 159-167.
    12. Wang, Hao & Fidrmuc, Jan & Luo, Qi, 2020. "Grandparenting and well-being of the elderly in China," BOFIT Discussion Papers 18/2020, Bank of Finland, Institute for Economies in Transition.
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    14. Wu, Qi & Zhu, Yiqi & Brevard, Kanisha & Wu, Shiyou & Krysik, Judy, 2024. "Risk and protective factors for African American kinship caregiving: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).

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