(RE)CONSTRUCTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH GRANDPARENTS - A TURNING-POINT ANALYSIS OF GRANDDAUGHTERS RELATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH MATERNAL GRANDMOTHERS

This study explores how granddaughters account for the development of their relationships with their maternal grandmothers. The retrospectiv e interviewing technique was used to elicit turning points in their re lational histories. Analysis of the turning point content revealed sev eral different types of turning points that reflected both normative a nd idiosyncratic events. Increases in relational closeness resulted fr om decreases in geographic separation, engaging in shared activities, deaths or serious illnesses in the family, and family disruptions. Dec reases in closeness were associated with negative experiences with the grandmother, increases in geographic separation, and the transition t o college. Granddaughters reported that turning points related to deat h or serious illness and participation in shared activities were the m ost significant ones in their relationships with maternal grandmothers .