Health of grandmothers as caregivers: A ten month follow-up

This study examined changes, over 10 months, in self-assessed health, depre ssion, anxiety, stress, coping and support in a convenience sample of 74 gr andmothers living in the same home as grandchild(ren) and to compare them w ith grandmothers who had either primary (n = 49) or partial/supplemental (n = 25) responsibility for their grandchildren's care. Grandmothers showed h igh stability over ten months time, with many reporting elevated depression and parenting stress at both time points. Depression was associated with g reater parenting stress, primary responsibility for caregiving, and with av oidant and minimizing coping. Better self-assessed health was linked with l ess parenting stress, and less formal and instrumental support. Study findi ngs are discussed.