Grandchildhood: Adult grandchildren's perception of their role towards their grandparents from an intergenerational perspective

The study focuses on adult grandchildren's perception of their role towards their grandparents according to the perspectives of both generations: the grandchildren and the grandparents. This study proposes a definition of the role of the adult grandchild, including the expectations and obligations deriving from the role. The main theories that provide the conceptual framework for this study are Symbolic Interaction Theory, Exchange Theory and the Intergenerational Solidarity Model. The sample included 216 pairs of adult grandchildren (average age: 24.9) and their grandparents (average age: 78.3), Jewish residents in Israel, who responded to closed questionnaires. The main findings of the research demonstrate that role perception of the adult grandchild is shaped by means of intergenerational transfer and by internalizing norms and behavior patterns of parents. As expected, it was found that perception of the grandchild's role is more positive among grandchildren who experienced their grandparents as caregivers in their childhood than among grandchildren that did not have the experience of being cared for by grandparents. Grandchildren definitely possess a perception of filial obligation and responsibility toward grandparents and in fact they express more positive opinions than the grandparent regarding this responsibility. Regarding the practical implications of these results for the clinical field of therapy with aging family, the conclusion that adult grandchildren are an integral part of the grandparents' total support network can contribute to the development of comprehensive psycho-social evaluations, as well as to the development of family treatment programs that involve the third generation.