Volume 6

Number 2, July 2024

Caring for Grandchildren: Assessing the Psychological Well-being of Urban Grandparents

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47648/zhswmcj.2024.v0602.04

Nahar A1 , Moulee ST2 , Ferdousi N3 , Khan MZI4 , Karim SB5 , Nurunnabi M6 , Islam MZ7

Abstract

Introduction: Grandparents hold significant responsibility alongside parents in nurturing and raising theirgrandchildren. This dynamic not only strengthens familial ties but also supports employed parents.

Methods: Thishousehold study aimed to assess the psychological well-being (PSW) of 171 urban grandparents, selected purposively,through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire conducted from January to December 2018in Uttara, Dhaka.

Results: The mean age of the grandparents was 57.9 years, and more than half of them (53.8%)were under 60 years old. A significant number of grandparents experienced severe stress (70.8%), along with mildanxiety (69.6%) and depression (61.4%). In contrast, only a small portion of grandparents (5.3%) reported feelingsof loneliness within their family. Individuals under the age of 60 exhibited higher mean scores for stress, loneliness,anxiety, and depression in comparison to those aged 60 and above. There was also a positive correlation observedbetween the total scores of loneliness, anxiety, and depression with the total scores of stress (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The majority of grandparents experienced high levels of stress, and some were suffered from loneliness, anxiety anddepression. To enhance the PSW of grandparents, efforts should focus on improving their quality of life.

Keywords: Psychological well-being, grandparents, caregiving, grandchild


  1. Quality Control Manager, Quality Control Laboratory Unit

    Institute of Public Health, Dhaka

  2. American International University, Los Angeles, California, United States

  3. Medical Officer, Public Health Laboratory

    Institute of Public Health, Dhaka

  4. Senior Consultant, Department of Pediatrics

    Gopalganj 250 Bed General Hospital, Gopalganj

  5. Junior Consultant, Department of Pediatrics

    Gangachara Upazila Health Complex, Rangpur

  6. Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine and Public Health

    Sylhet Women’s Medical College, Sylhet

  7. Professor, Department of Community Medicine

    National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dhaka

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Volume 6, Number 2, July 2024
Page: 18-25