Custodial Grandparents and their Grandchildren

Abstract

Grandparents raising grandchildren in the absence of the grand-children’s biological parents are responsible for the emotional, social, and financial wellbeing of 1.35 million children in the United States (Woodworth, 1996). These custodial grandparents, while providing their grandchildren with a sense of continuity, stability, and security (O’Reilly & Morrison, 1993), often do so at serious emotional, physical, and financial cost to themselves (Pinson-Millburn, Fabian, Schlossberg, & Pyle, 1996). The prevalence and population of grandparents raising grandchildren and identified problem- and treatment-focus areas for them are described through a review of the literature. Research into specific treatment modalities for these family constellations is significantly lacking. Narrative family therapy is suggested as a viable clinical intervention for this group.