Bereaved grandparents’ meaning in life: The role of social acknowledgment, social support, and continuing bonds—a preliminary research

Losing a grandchild can deeply challenge grandparents’ sense of meaning in life, as grandchildren hold a significant role in their lives. While social acknowledgment, social support, and continuing bonds are known to play crucial roles in the grieving process, their specific contributions to meaning in life among bereaved grandparents remain underexplored. This preliminary study examines these associations and identifies key predictors of meaning in life within this often-overlooked population. The sample consists of 74 bereaved Israeli grandparents who lost their grandchild under various circumstances. Data were analyzed using correlations, hierarchical regression, and mediation analysis. Findings indicate that high social acknowledgment and social support are significant predictors positively correlated with meaning in life. Additionally, mediation analysis revealed that higher social acknowledgment predicted greater social support, which in turn was associated with a higher presence of meaning. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing acknowledgment and support for bereaved grandparents.