Grandparents of Children with Developmental Disabilities: Intergenerational Support and Family Well-Being

Mothers and fathers separately assessed grandparent support in family situations involving grandchildren with developmental disabilities. There was high consistency in mother and father independent views of grandparent support with the maternal grandmother identified by both as the most available and supportive. Grandparent emotional support appeared to be more salient to parent psychological adjustment and parenting stress than was grandparent instrumental support (practical help). Mothers and fathers appeared to be most sensitive to the support offered by their own mother. Overall family functioning was not directly related to level of grandparent emotional or instrument support. Findings encourage multigenerational interventions with parents and grandparents in family practice involving situations of childhood disability.