Research Shows 3 Million Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

Grandparents Report Success in Raising Grandchildren

Despite stresses on both generations research finds that families are coping

Getty Images Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. "A large and increasing number of mothers and fathers aren't able to meet the responsibilities of parenthood, prompting their own parents to take on the primary caregiver role for their grandchildren,” Andrew Adesman, M.D., said in presenting new research to the American Academy of Pediatrics national conference. “Although these children are more likely to have endured one or more adverse childhood experiences, and the grandparents themselves often face extra health and socioeconomic hurdles, our findings suggest they appear to be coping well.” Adesman is the lead author of the study, “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Are They Up to the Job?” Using data from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health, researchers found that those raising grandchildren were more likely to have their own physical and mental health problems, to be poorer than average and to have less education than the average adult. As for the grandchildren, they were more apt to have behavioral issues, including anger and anxiety. Nonetheless, Adesman and his team determined that there was no difference, whether it was grandparents or parents who were in charge of raising the children, in their stress or coping levels. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS