孫・祖父母関係と家族機能の関連

抄録

　The current study examined the association among the grandparent-parent relationship, grandchild-grandparent relationship, and family functioning. One hundred and ninety-eight university students (85 males, 112 females) were surveyed. Covariance structure analysis indicated that the grandparent-parent relationship affected the grandchild-grandparent relationship. In addition, the grandchild-grandparent relationship affected a grandparent’s roles, including “acknowledgement of one's existence,” “daily emotional support,” and “a succession of generations,” as perceived by one's grandchild. Moreover, these roles influenced family functioning, including “cohesion” and “adaptability.” The grandparent-parent relationship also directedly affected family functioning. If parents and grandparents were emotionally close, a grandchild and her/his grandparents were emotionally close as well. In a close grandchild-grandparent relationship, a grandchild emotionally relies on his or her grandparents. A grandchild also feels that his or her grandparents routinely show interest in him or her, and the grandchild feels a connection with his or her grandparents and ancestors.

　Furthermore, a close grandchild-grandparent relationship enhances family connectedness and the ability to solve family problems. A close grandparent-parent relationship and a close grandchild-grandparent relationship enhance connectedness and communication in a family as a whole.