Translating Discovery Science. Improving self‐efficacy in grandparents raising grandchildren: Results from a strengths‐based education intervention.

Abstract:

Background: Custodial grandparents often protect against childhood trauma
and promote resilience in their grandchildren. In this role, grandparents
face many challenges and may lack confidence in their parenting abilities.
Increasing grandparent self‐efficacy may help promote grandfamily resilience.
Yet few interventions exist to help grandparents adapt to challenges faced as
primary parenting figures for grandchildren. Objective: The purpose of this
study was to examine the preliminary efficacy of a strengths‐based
intervention for grandparents raising grandchildren and explore whether it
would improve grandparent self‐efficacy. Method: Grandparents providing
primary care to grandchildren participated in a 6‐week intervention,
single‐group, pretest–posttest design. Self‐efficacy was assessed at baseline
(N = 149), post‐intervention (n = 104), and 6 months (n = 55). A linear mixed
effects analysis was conducted to test the effect of the intervention on
grandparent self‐efficacy. Results: The intervention was associated with
small improvements in grandparents’ self‐efficacy, after controlling for
demographic variables and perceived social support. These improvements were
sustained over time. Conclusion: Our intervention addresses the complex needs
of grandparents raising grandchildren and has a positive effect on their
self‐efficacy. This study provides support for the feasibility of
strengths‐based intervention programs for grandfamilies. Implications:
Programs that foster effective strategies to enhance self‐efficacy are
important for the well‐being of grandfamilies.