Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1993. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-115).

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The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions held by grandfathers and their adult grandchildren and to compare their perceptions of bonding within their intergenerational relationships. The sample consisted of 8 Latter-Day Saint grandfathers residing in Virginia and West Virginia who were between 62 and 88 years of age. For each grandfather interviewed, an adult grandson and an adult granddaughter over the age of 21, living within 250 miles, were also interviewed. The study was guided by two theoretical frameworks: a phenomenological perspective and symbolic interactionism. In addition, ideas, from attachment and social support, also contributed to the formation of the study. Finally, conceptual ideas from a preliminary model of intergenerational bonding were involved in the development and implementation of this study. The study was conducted utilizing a qualitative method of inquiry. Data were collected through qualitative in-depth interviews, and the schedules were developed by the researcher. First, both grandfathers and their adult grandchildren reported similar perceptions concerning areas such as the emotional closeness they experienced within the intergenerational relationship, the importance of knowing one's ancestors, and the grandfather's influence on the grandchildren's values and beliefs. Not all perceptions were found to be similar among the intergenerational groups however. First, both grandfathers and their adult grandchildren reported similar perceptions concerning areas such as the emotional closeness they experienced within the intergenerational relationship, the importance of knowing one's ancestors, and the grandfather's influence on the grandchildren's values and beliefs. Not all perceptions were found to be similar among the intergenerational groups however. Second, grandfathers and their adult grandchildren reported being highly involved in intergenerational activities. The most frequently mentioned type of activity reported was recreational/outdoor activities. Gender differences were found and discussed regarding the activities mentioned by grandsons and granddaughters. Third, four themes emerged from these data, three of which seemed to promote intergenerational closeness. They included: engaging in frequent contact, serving one another, and being a part of a conversational family. The fourth theme regarded the strong application of LDS religious principles within these grandfather-adult grandchild relationships. Implications and future research directions are also discussed. Third, four themes emerged from these data, three of which seemed to promote intergenerational closeness. They included: engaging in frequent contact, serving one another, and being a part of a conversational family. The fourth theme regarded the strong application of LDS religious principles within these grandfather-adult grandchild relationships. Implications and future research directions are also discussed. / Ph. D.

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Throughout the life course, all family members can expect to find themselves in some type of caregiving role. Individuals may find themselves providing care for a child or for an older family member who needs assistance. With the increase in life expectancy and the shrinking family size, individuals may find themselves spending time providing care to older family members. Despite the fact that caregiving related issues are well researched in the field of gerontology, the developmental experiences of grandchildren caregivers and the meanings of their caregiving experiences have not been explored in previous empirical work. Influenced by symbolic interactionism theory and the life course and life-span perspectives, the research questions that guide this study are: What is the nature of caregiving from the perspectives of grandchildren in the grandparent-grandchild relationship? What meanings do grandchildren give to the caregiving role? A qualitative study was conducted to examine the experiences of adult grandchildren (21-29 years old) who were currently providing some type of care-related activity for at least one grandparent. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews, lasting 30-80 minutes, with 17 grandchildren caregivers were conducted one time to examine the participants' caregiving experience. All interviews were completed at a location of the participants' choice. Interviews were tape-recorded and tapes were transcribed verbatim to aid in data analysis. Grandchildren caregivers' experiences illustrate variation with the reasons for providing care and the amount of time engaged in care related activities. Grandchildren were assisting with instrumental activities of daily living and activities of daily living. Reasons for providing care included grandparents' chronic illness or gradual aging, a crisis or event that left grandparents needing assistance, and because they had been providing care since they were young children. The amount of time grandchildren engaged in care related activities ranged from daily to several hours a week during summer and winter breaks. Grandchildren caregivers reported that family values, making grandparents happy, and preparing for the future were how they made sense of their role. Grandchildren experienced benefits and drawbacks from assisting grandparents and discussed how parents served as mediators and distracters to their caregiving role. Grandchildren caregivers exhibited the ability to adapt to caregiving situations and develop coping mechanisms that allowed them to be successful caregivers. Service professionals may want to include grandchildren caregivers in established support groups, caregiver programs, and enhance caregiver resources to support the generational needs of grandchildren caregivers in their 20s. / Ph. D.

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This article describes how young adult males experience relationships with older people in an economically deprived community. Intergenerational relations refer to the relationship between people who are either familially or non-familially related. Intergenerational relationships are important for communities in promoting connectedness, closeness and togetherness, which contribute to the well-being of all members. The relationships between generations are informed by the values and beliefs that underpin their interactions. Values and beliefs that guided intergenerational relations in this community in the past were that older people were regarded as the custodians of heritage, knowledge and wisdom, which they are expected to pass down to younger generations. Reciprocally, the younger generation was expected to take care of the older generation when they could not care for themselves. It is not clear, however, how young adult males in Africa experience their relationships with older people at the moment. An inductive, explorative approach was adopted to conduct this qualitative study. The research was conducted in Khuma, a township of Stilfontein in the North West Province of South Africa. The community is regarded as economically vulnerable community. Eleven male participants, aged between 18 and 35 years, participated in the research. Data were obtained by means of the Mmogo-method® (Roos, 2008; 2012), a visual data gathering method and group discussions about themuntil data saturation was achieved. The Mmogo-method® is a projective, qualitative data-gathering instrument which involves participants in the visual construction of their subjective and often subconscious experiences by using different materials (Roos, 2012). Participants in this research were asked to make visual representations based on the following open-ended instruction: “Use the materials provided to tell us about your experiences of your relationships with the older people in your community”. On completion, participants were asked to explain what they had done and why they had made specific objects so that the deeper meanings of their representations could be elicited. Their responses were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Ambivalence emerged as a predominant theme. Ambivalence refers to simultaneous, contradictory emotions towards older people and what they represent. One the one hand, the young people expressed appreciation for the way in which older persons cared for them physically and emotionally; and on the other hand, these young adults expressed feelings of dissatisfaction and hurt in relation to older persons. Ambivalence was also expressed in terms of traditional agriculatural practices. They realized the importance of being knowledgeable about traditional agricultural practices and customs as part of their heritage; but they were also negative and showed a disregard for traditional customs in the face of the realities of poor economic conditions, unemployment, HIV/AIDS and socio-political changes in? terms of their economic realities and they described conformity with traditional intergenerational arrangements of relationships. Ambivalence was also expressed in terms of terms of the way in which relationships were arranged. There as an acceptance of the leading position of older persons with the younger people in a following position, but they also expressed a need to negotiate different rules for engagement. The relational experiences of the young adult males are embedded in their financial situation. Young males who find themselves trapped in financially dependent relationships with older persons do not have much bargaining power. They find themselves in a position where, even if they want to challenge the traditional arrangement of intergenerational relations, they are bound to norms and values associated with their past and heritage. The question needs to be answered: What is the older generation‟s perspective on the possibility of renegotiation of the norms and values that guide intergenerational relations? This question is important for promoting social cohesion, particularly in economically deprived communities. It is recommended that a community-based intervention be developed to create awareness of the strengths of both generations. Enabling interpersonal space can assist generations to adopt a flexible attitude in the face of changing views of intergenerational relationships. / MA (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014