African American Grandchildren Raised in Grandparent-Headed Families: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

There has been an increase in grandparents raising their grandchildren due to parental absence. This family structure has affected urban, single, low-income African Americans at a higher rate than any other racial group. Research on grandchildren reared in grandparent-headed families (GHF) states these children are at risk of significant emotional, behavioral, physical problems, and learning disabilities than children living with their biological parents. This exploratory study involved qualitative individual interviews with 14 African American grandchildren ages 10–16 and their 6 grandparent caregivers. Results indicated that although the majority of the grandchildren were content living with their grandparents, they experienced adjustment issues related to their histories of family disruption and parental loss. Family factors that might affect grandchildren’s adjustment to living in a GHF are discussed, as well as implications for counselors and recommendations for future research with grandchildren from GHF.