Grandparent-grandchild relationship

Abstract

The present study aimed at exploring the grandparent-grandchild relationship employing the case study method of a single extended family. The in-depth exploration was aimed at studying the relationship in a family system's theory perspective, the views of grandparents and grandchildren regarding this relationship and the difference in grandparent's relationship quality with individual grandchildren. The lools employed were semi-structured interviews, along with participant ohservution and personul documentation. . The analysis technique included' thematic analysis. The results through the enumeration system included the strength of each theme .in each unit and the sum of all the themes in all units. The major themes regarding the family systems themy were found in order of their correspondent strength as i) Family roles ii)Multigenerational transmission process iii) Family rules iv) Distancer-pursuer dyad v) Triangulation vi) Distribution of power vii) Communication and viii) Differentiation of se(f The sub themes within each theme were also generated and enumeratedfollowing the same rules. The themes in grandparents' views about the relationship were generated in their correspondent strength as i) Achievement ii) Commitment iii) & iv) Happiness and Quality time v) & vi) Affiliation and Love vii) Respect and care. The themes in grandchildren's views about the relationship were generated in their corre.~pondent strength as i) Friendship ii) Help iii) Saviors iv) Love and care and v) Quality time. Though the quality of grandparent relationship was found to be same with all grandchildren yet there was some d(/Jerence in the perceptions of individual grandchildren and grandparents regarding the quality of the relationship. The themes and other results along with verbatim elaborations were discussed in light of cultural salience, evident literature and family systems theory. Being a qualitative research the present study can serve as a substantial foundation for future work in this area.