Do Grandparents Matter? The Relationship Between Emotional Closeness and Adolescent Prosocial Behavior

Authors

Jami Jackson, Brigham Young University
Dr. Jeremy Yorgason, Brigham Young University

Keywords

grandparents, emotional closeness, adolescent prosocial behavior, grandchildren

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

Abstract

Grandparental emotional closeness is important for both grandparents and grandchildren (e.g. Bowers & Myers, 1999; Drew & Silverstein, 2007; Crosnoe & Elder, 2002). However, in many of the studies given, the measure of intergenerational closeness has come from the grandparent (e.g. Fingerman, 2004; Drew & Silverstein, 2007). In cases where the measure has come from the perspective of the grandchild, much of the data have been collected from college‐aged young adults (Dubas, 2001; Harwood, 2001). The purpose of this study is to measure adolescents’ reports of emotional closeness to a grandparent, and to study the relationship between grandparental closeness and adolescents’ prosocial behavior with strangers.

Recommended Citation

Jackson, Jami and Yorgason, Dr. Jeremy (2013) "Do Grandparents Matter? The Relationship Between Emotional Closeness and Adolescent Prosocial Behavior," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 234.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/234