Grandparents' Reactions to the Death of a Grandchild: An Exploratory Factor Analytic Study

Abstract

One hundred and fifty-two grandparents who had experienced the death of a grandchild in the preceding three years or so served as subjects for two separate but related studies investigating the multidimensional nature of the grief reactions of grandparents. In Study 1, subjects responded to an open-ended questionnaire which asked for brief descriptions of their grief reactions immediately following the death of the grandchild, and perceived changes in their affective and behavioral responses with the passage of time. A principal component factor analysis procedure was used to identify the major dimensions in the grief reactions of grandparents. Of the six factors that emerged, Factor 1 (Emotional Rupturing) and Factor 2 (Survivor Guilt) accounted for 21.0 percent and 18.6 percent, respectively, of the total variance. In Study 2, a six-month longitudinal follow-up of seventeen grandparents was conducted by means of in-depth interviews. Subjects provided detailed personal accounts of their coping and recovery processes. Interview data were analyzed using a qualitative approach. The results of Study 2 corroborated and supported the factor analysis results obtained in Study 1. Both studies highlight the continuing need for gerontologists to investigate the complexity of grandparents' grief reactions. The studies draw attention to the mental health implications for older adults who have experienced loss and bereavement.