Coping resources:effects on the psychological well-being of african american grandparents raising grandchildren.

The impact that parenting responsibilities have on the psychological well-being of African American grandparents raising grandchildren is an increasing concern in American society. Contemporary research studies indicate that African American grandparents who encounter a variety of challenges in raising their grandchildren are able to cope successfully with these situations if they derive a sufficient amount of psychological rewards from raising grandchildren (Giarrusso, Silverstein, & DuFeng, 2000). These rewards include increased gratification, feelings of usefulness, and increasing pride in their own abilities to meet new challenges (Fuller-Thomason & Minkler, 2000). This article will investigate how the coping resource factors of intergenerational solidarity, informal social support and spirituality enhance the psychological well-being of African American grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. doi:10.1300/J045v22n03_09.