Relationship Between Receiving Social Support and the Health of Grandparent Caregivers

TL;DR

Grandparent caregivers with more social support have better physical and mental health and fewer chronic conditions.

Contribution

This study shows that family and friend support significantly improves health outcomes for grandparent caregivers.

Findings

Greater family support correlates with fewer chronic conditions and better physical and mental health.

Friend support predicts better physical health among grandparent caregivers.

Higher social support is linked to fewer depressive symptoms in grandparents.

Abstract

Raising grandchildren has been linked to increased depression, stress, and worsened physical health. Research has shown that having social support may decrease stress and depression, but less is known about the impact of social support on physical health and chronic conditions among grandparent caregivers. The current study analyzed data from grandparent caregivers (n = 234) who participated in Wave 3 (2013) of the Midlife in the United States longitudinal study (Ryff., et al 2013). Correlational analysis showed that greater support from family correlated significantly with fewer chronic conditions (r=-.257, p = < 0.01), better physical health (r=-.275, p = < 0.01), and better mental/emotional health (r=-3.48, p = < 0.01). Greater support from friends predicted better physical health (r=-.163, p=.019). Independent samples t-tests were conducted to compare grandparents with high (4 or greater) versus low (3 or less) depressive symptoms. Support from family was higher among grandparents with fewer depressive symptoms (M = 3.53, SD =.56) as compared to grandparents with more depressive symptoms (M = 2.94, SD= .88) (t = 2.99, df = 21.87, p=.007). Similarly, support from friends was higher among grandparents with fewer depressive symptoms (M = 3.32, SD=.63) compared to grandparents with more depressive symptoms (M = 2.87, SD=.82) (t = 3.04, df = 22.74, p=.003). The findings show social support is important for grandparent caregivers’ physical and emotional health. This study demonstrates that increasing support groups and social assistance is important for grandparent caregivers.