CUSTODIAL GRANDPARENTING - NEW ROLES FOR MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER ADULTS

An overview of grandparenting in light of changing demographics, famil y composition, and intergenerational dynamics is presented, as well as a review of custodial grandparenting which is impacted not only by th ese changes, but also by factors unique to this role. Research to date suggests that the demands of custodial grandparenting may be harmful to the psychosocial adjustment of those raising grandchildren and that such persons may be particularly in need of mental health services, e specially if they are caring for problem grandchildren. However, such work also suggests that there are nevertheless many strengths and rewa rds associated with raising a grandchild later in life. The implicatio ns of these stressful demands on middle-aged and older persons' adjust ment and life satisfaction are discussed, as are methodological issues in such research as well as future directions work in this area might take.