A grounded theory investigation of skip-generation stepgrandparent-stepgrandchild relationships
Abstract
[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Wachter (1997) projected that by 2030, grandparents will have as many stepgrandchildren as they do biological grandchildren, yet stepgrandparent-stepgrandchild relationships remain understudied. Using grounded theory, we explored how stepgrandchildren negotiate and maintain relationships with skipgeneration stepgrandparents (i.e., stepgrandparents who did not parent the middle generation but have been in the lives of stepgrandchildren since birth or early childhood). The sample included 27 stepgrandchildren (M age = 20.8). Most stepgrandparent-stepgrandchild relationships (n = 24/35) were described as emotionally close and supportive. Intergenerational steprelationships varied as a result of individual and familial factors (e.g., parental gatekeeping).
Degree
M.S.
Thesis Department
Rights
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