GRANDDAUGHTERS ACCOUNTS OF THE INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL MEDIATION ON RELATIONAL CLOSENESS WITH MATERNAL GRANDMOTHERS

This study explores granddaughters' reports of the nature and impact o f parental mediation on the development of their feelings of closeness toward their maternal grandmothers. Results from close-ended question s assessing granddaughters' perceptions of parental mediation and rela tional closeness indicated that closeness was predicted by mediation i nvolving: visits alone with grandmothers, the absence of criticism of grandmothers, communication indicating the grandmothers were important persons, and less influence on conversations or activities. Qualitati ve analysis of granddaughters' accounts of the influence of parents il lustrated what they perceived to be important issues in mediation. Add itionally, accounts revealed the role of other family members in the r elationship mediation process.