Grandparents and Teen Grandchildren: Exploring Intergenerational Relationships, 2003-2004

UKDA study number:5231

Principal Investigators

Hill, M.
Ross, N.
Glasgow Centre for the Child and Society
Sweeting, H.
Medical Research Council. Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
Cunningham-Burley, S.
Centre for Research on Families and Relationships

Sponsors

Economic and Social Research Council
Centre for Research on Families and Relationships

Distributed by

UK Data Archive, University of Essex, Colchester.

November 2005

Bibliographic Citation

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Hill, M. et al. , Grandparents and Teen Grandchildren: Exploring Intergenerational Relationships, 2003-2004 [computer file]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive [distributor], November 2005. SN: 5231, http://dx.doi.org/10.5255/UKDA-SN-5231-1

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Copyright:
M. Hill, N. Ross, S. Cunningham-Burley and H. Sweeting.

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5231 . Grandparents and Teen Grandchildren: Exploring Intergenerational Relationships, 2003-2004

Depositor:

Hill, M. , Glasgow Centre for the Child and Society

Principal Investigators:

Hill, M. , Glasgow Centre for the Child and Society

Sweeting, H. , Medical Research Council. Social and Public Health Sciences Unit

Cunningham-Burley, S. , Centre for Research on Families and Relationships

Ross, N. , Glasgow Centre for the Child and Society

Sponsors:

Economic and Social Research Council
Centre for Research on Families and Relationships
Grant Number: RES-000-22-0402

Abstract:

This research focused on the nature of grandparent-grandchild relationships, exploring the ways in which family and societal contexts are impacting on this kinship relation. The focus was on grandparent-grandchild relations when grandchildren are in their teenage years, as little research has been conducted on this phase of the grandchild-grandparent relationship, particularly on the range of help and support provided by grandparents to older grandchildren, or vice versa. Much previous research on grandparenthood has been based upon large-scale surveys, highlighting various predictors of relationship strength and quality. However, such studies are limited in their ability to shed light on how grandparent-grandchild relationships are actually experienced. Information has mainly been gathered from grandparents, parents and young adults, with few studies including the views of children and young people or containing the perspectives of related grandparents and grandchildren. This research redressed the balance by adopting a qualitative approach to explore the experiences of both grandparents and grandchildren. It considered variations in the same person’s relationships with several grandchildren or grandparents, placing these in the context of each individual’s family, social networks and socio-economic environments. The study emphasised the dynamic nature of grandparent-grandchild relations by examining perceived changes related to life stage and the implications of various family transitions, formations and mobility.

Main Topics:

The research adopted a qualitative approach to explore in depth the meaning and significance of grandparent-grandchild relations. Interviews and group discussions were held with respondents from both generations and included related and unrelated grandparents and grandchildren. Those with related pairs enabled comparison of views of the same relationship, while those with unrelated participants provided more general comparisons within and across generations. Altogether 148 respondents took part in the study, 75 young people and 73 older people with at least one teenage grandchild. Half the young people were aged 10-14, half aged 15-19. Grandparent respondents ranged in age from early 50s to late 80s. Respondents were chosen to provide a social spread, and were drawn from affluent and less affluent, urban and rural areas. The sampling was also intended to include participants from minority ethnic backgrounds, Scottish-Chinese and Scottish-Pakistani Muslim. The majority of the transcripts have been made available. This dataset comprises 63 of these transcripts.

Coverage:

Time Period Covered: 2003 - 2005
Country: Scotland
Geography: Glasgow; Strathclyde
Spatial Units: No spatial unit.
Observation Units: Families/households
Kind of Data: Textual data; Individual (micro) level

Universe Sampled:

Location of Units of Observation: Subnational
Population: Interviews with younger people (aged 10-19) and older people (aged 50s to 80s) were conducted in Scotland in a range of locations within Glasgow and a rural area in West Scotland between 2003 and 2005.

Methodology:

Time Dimensions: Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Sampling Procedures: Volunteer sample
Number of Units: 63 semi-structured interview transcripts
Method of Data Collection: Face-to-face interview
Weighting: Not applicable

Language(s) of Written Materials:

Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English

Access:

Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Qualidata, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: qualidata@esds.ac.uk

Date of First Release:

18 November 2005

Copyright:

M. Hill, N. Ross, S. Cunningham-Burley and H. Sweeting.

File last updated:

4 January 2012