Intergenerational solidarity between adult grandchildren and their grandparents with different levels of functional ability

The study examined the relationships between adult grandchildren and their grandparents from the perspectives of both generations. The sample consisted of 216 grandchild-grandparent dyads in which the grandparents had different levels of functional abilities. Participants responded to a questionnaire, which was based on Intergenerational Solidarity Model measures. Frequency of telephone contact with grandchildren was found to be higher among the group of independent grandparents than among the frail and dependent grandparents who required partial and full-time assistance. For all grandparents, the affectual dimension and actual provision of assistance by their grandchildren were related to the frequency of contact with their grandchildren. Moreover, the affectual dimension was found to be a necessary condition for grandchildren to maintain contact with their grandparents and provide functional assistance, whereas the consensual dimension was not essential. The findings also highlight the role of adult grandchildren in the elderly person's social-familial network.