The Relationship of Parental Stress and Social Support in Grandparent-headed Families in Rural South Dakota

Grandparents raising their grandchildren is an increasing phenomena and the stresses and lack of social support are taking their toll on these families. This study sought to determine the relationship between parental stress and social support of grandparent-headed households living in rural South Dakota. A total of38 questionnaires were distributed to grandparents living in five rural counties in South Dakota. Twenty-one questionnaires were returned. The correlation index, using Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (r), identified a significant negative relationship (p = .026. 1-tailed) between parental stress and social support (r = -.43). Individually, four subscales of the Parental Stress Index also showed a significant negative relationship with social support; isolation(p = .001,1-tailed), role restriction (p < .008,1-tailed), relationship with spouse (p= .000, 1-tailed), and health (p= .028, 1-tailed). On the other hand, grandfather's employment status demonstrated a significant positive relationship (Z= .04,2-tailed)with social support. Advanced practice nurses need to assess for these potential stressors among grandparents raising their grand children. Nurses need to also be a source of referral and support for this population.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - University Access Only

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Graduate Nursing

Year

1999

Author dc:creator

• Eads, Karen L.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Marylou Mylant

• grandparents as parents
• grandparent social networks
• stress
• Nursing

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 1999 Karen Eads. All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/830

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-1830