Quality and Quantity of Grandparent Contact: Associations with Late Adolescents’ Psychological Adjustment

Abstract

This study explored how grandparents influence their late adolescent grandchildren’s psychological adjustment. Late adolescent participants (N = 474, 60% female, 63% Caucasian) reported their current relationship quality and degree of contact during elementary school for each living grandparent. Hierarchical linear regressions, controlling for demographic characteristics and parental acceptance, found that grandparent relationship quality, but not grandparent contact, was linked to multiple late adolescent outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms, self-worth, perceived competence in close friendships, and romantic relationships). Significant associations examining both maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather relationship quality were supported, but fewer associations were found for maternal grandfathers and paternal grandmothers. Moderation analyses found more contact during childhood strengthened some of the positive associations between grandparent relationship quality and grandchildren’s self-worth and perceived competence in close friendships. The need for more research examining how specific grandparent factors are linked to grandchildren’s outcomes across developmental periods and contexts is discussed.