This study explored the caregiving styles of 306 grandparents raising grandchild across three ethnic groups (164 European Americans, 65 Latinos, and 77 African Americans). Significant differences were found in caregiving styles between European Americans and African Americans. Caregiver appraisal (burden, satisfaction, and Mastery) was found to be predictive of caregiving style across the entire sample, and differentially by ethnic group. Caregiver style was predictive of grandchild functioning across the entire sample, and differentially by ethnic group. Lastly, caregiver style was found to be predictive of grandparent well-being across the entire sample, and differentially by ethnic group. Implications are discussed in terms of the complex, multidimensional and culturally embedded nature of the caregiving experience and the importance of considering culture for optimal outcomes.

This study firstly investigates the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the resulting deaths from an international, African and South African perspective. These statistics provide a backdrop to the phenomenon of grandparent-headed households. The needs of orphans and the characteristics of grandparent-headed households are explained. The researcher describes the services offered to these households by a number of supporting agencies internationally and in South Africa. Erik Erikson’s model of psychosocial development is used as a structure to explain childhood grieving during the various psychosocial development stages, including adolescence. The views and experiences of a number of South African grandparent-headed households are described as well as the views of stakeholders offering support to these families. Lastly the researcher offers guidelines to professionals and lay people who endeavour to empower grandparents who fulfil the role of parents in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This study firstly investigates the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the resulting deaths from an international, African and South African perspective. These statistics provide a backdrop to the phenomenon of grandparent-headed households. The needs of orphans and the characteristics of grandparent-headed households are explained. The researcher describes the services offered to these households by a number of supporting agencies internationally and in South Africa. Erik Erikson’s model of psychosocial development is used as a structure to explain childhood grieving during the various psychosocial development stages, including adolescence. The views and experiences of a number of South African grandparent-headed households are described as well as the views of stakeholders offering support to these families. Lastly the researcher offers guidelines to professionals and lay people who endeavour to empower grandparents who fulfil the role of parents in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The focus of this study was to investigate psychological effect on grandchildren when they are being raised by their grandparents. Considerable research has been done on the psychological effect on the grandparents, but very little on the effects on grandchildren, especially in South Africa. By means of a mainly qualitative investigation, empirical data were collected through informal discussions, observations and projection media from four families and seven grandchildren in total. The findings yielded a number of common themes among all the grandchildren, and yet others showed the influence of the attitude of the grandparents towards the situation. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and counseling)

The quantitative study attempted to examine the barriers and challenges of grandparents raising grandchildren. The primary focus is to explore the problems and concerns to determine what are the specific needs of these redefined families. The researcher employed a questionnaire with some closed and open-ended questions, pertaining to the problems and concerns of custodial grandparents. Twenty-five grandparents in San Bernardino County were interviewed to obtain data regarding this issue. The findings of the study revealed that grandparents and grandchildren both are in need of internal and external resources to enhance, empower and support their inner ability to adjust and cope with their new and often traumatic family transitions.

The focus of this study was to investigate psychological effect on grandchildren when they are being raised by their grandparents. Considerable research has been done on the psychological effect on the grandparents, but very little on the effects on grandchildren, especially in South Africa. By means of a mainly qualitative investigation, empirical data were collected through informal discussions, observations and projection media from four families and seven grandchildren in total. The findings yielded a number of common themes among all the grandchildren, and yet others showed the influence of the attitude of the grandparents towards the situation. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and counseling)

The AIDS pandemic has generated a large number of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) in Swaziland, as it affects the reproductive age group. Most of the OVC are being cared for by their grandparents who are old, poor and suffer from degenerating diseases of old age. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the needs and support available for OVC under the care of grandparents in the informal settlements of Mbabane, Swaziland in order to develop guidelines for their care and support. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study was conducted to identify the needs of the OVC and type of support provided by organizations for these children. Data was collected using unstructured and semi-structured interviews. The study was conducted in three phases each addressing a research objective. In the first phase which was to identify the needs of OVC, twelve grandparents who cared for OVC in the informal settlements participated. For the second phase seven managers of organizations that provide support to OVC in the informal settlements participated. The third phase was the development of guidelines by the researcher and validated by participants and experts. The study highlighted the needs of OVC, the nature of the existing support structure and type of support provided by organizations for these children. The findings revealed that the OVC have developmental support, protection support, psychosocial support and support for survival needs. The themes identified from the analysis of the type of support provided by organizations were developmental, partnership, protection, psychosocial and support for survival needs. The organizations' support was inconsistent and inadequate to meet these needs due to the large number of OVC. Some of the weaknesses of organizations were indicated as donor dependency and lack of coordination and collaboration among organizations. The study highlighted partnership as fundamental to the successful implementation of the guidelines. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

The AIDS pandemic has generated a large number of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) in Swaziland, as it affects the reproductive age group. Most of the OVC are being cared for by their grandparents who are old, poor and suffer from degenerating diseases of old age. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the needs and support available for OVC under the care of grandparents in the informal settlements of Mbabane, Swaziland in order to develop guidelines for their care and support. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study was conducted to identify the needs of the OVC and type of support provided by organizations for these children. Data was collected using unstructured and semi-structured interviews. The study was conducted in three phases each addressing a research objective. In the first phase which was to identify the needs of OVC, twelve grandparents who cared for OVC in the informal settlements participated. For the second phase seven managers of organizations that provide support to OVC in the informal settlements participated. The third phase was the development of guidelines by the researcher and validated by participants and experts. The study highlighted the needs of OVC, the nature of the existing support structure and type of support provided by organizations for these children. The findings revealed that the OVC have developmental support, protection support, psychosocial support and support for survival needs. The themes identified from the analysis of the type of support provided by organizations were developmental, partnership, protection, psychosocial and support for survival needs. The organizations' support was inconsistent and inadequate to meet these needs due to the large number of OVC. Some of the weaknesses of organizations were indicated as donor dependency and lack of coordination and collaboration among organizations. The study highlighted partnership as fundamental to the successful implementation of the guidelines. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This exploratory study investigated the psychosocial impact on rural grandmothers of Gutu, Zimbabwe, caring for their grandchildren orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The participants included 12 paternal and maternal grandmother-caregivers from four districts of Gutu, whose ages ranged from 56 to 76 years with orphans in their care ranging from infants to 18 years. The present study made use of Erikson's psychosocial theory of development on late adulthood. Data were gathered using semi-structured open-ended interviews in the participants' homes. Interpretive analysis was used to analyse the audio-taped data. Findings reveal that most grandmothers are experiencing a personal toll in dealing with the late adult crisis of integrity versus despair, including finding it difficult to resolve the grief of losing children while engaging in full time grandparenting in a stigmatising society. Participants reported a need for support and interventions tailored to their unique needs. Counselling, social support, financial assistance, and skills and knowledge about HIV/AIDS are therefore recommended. / Psychology / M.Sc. (Psychology)

This exploratory study investigated the influence of grandparent-headed families on the academic performance of secondary school learners in Port Elizabeth education district. It draws on Family systems theory and Role Theory to allow one to understand the organizational complexity of families, as well as the interactive patterns that guide family interactions.These theories capture the essence of this study which argues that grandparent-headed family is a very important family unit that needs to be supported in order to function well and thereby giving a better parental support and guidance to those learners who are in need. The study was conducted in five secondary schools and also in fifteen grandparent-headed homes. The participants included sixteen learners, 5 Life Orientation educators and sixteen grandparents who are caregivers to these learners. The learners were interviewed at their schools, after obtaining consent from them, the school personnel, their grandparents and the Department of Education in Port Elizabeth. The educators were interviewed at their respective schools after they signed written consent. The grandparents were interviewed in a naturalistic setting, namely at their homes after they have given their written consent. Data was gathered using semi-structured open-ended interviews. Interpretive analysis was used to analyse the audio-taped data. The interviews were voluntarily and anonymity was guaranteed. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)