The Australian First-time Grandparents Study: Time spent with the grandchild and its predictors

John Condon, Carolyn Corkindale, Mary Luszcz, Elizabeth Gamble

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    23 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Aim: This paper presents data on the amount of contact a large cohort of first-time Australian grandparents have with their grandchild, and the amount of child care they provide. It compares these with grandparents' expectations and desired levels. Method: Prospective grandparents were assessed on multiple measures before the birth of their grandchild, and at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months thereafter. Results: At the 12-month assessment, grandmothers had approximately 15 hours per week contact, and provided approximately 7.5 hours per week of child care. The corresponding figures for grandfathers were 9.5 hours and 5 hours respectively. Approximately 10% of grandparents reported no contact with their grandchild, and 30-40% reported undertaking no child care. Almost half the grandparents desired more contact than they were actually getting. Conclusion: Accurate quantification of contact and care is a prerequisite for investigation of the impact of the transition to grandparenthood on health and well-being.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)21-27
    Number of pages7
    JournalAustralasian Journal on Ageing
    Volume32
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 2013

    Keywords

    • Child care
    • Family characteristics
    • Intergenerational relation
    • Longitudinal study
    • Socioeconomic factor

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