Date of Award:

5-1984

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Human Development and Family Studies

Department name when degree awarded

Family and Human Development

Committee Chair(s)

Glen O. Johnson

Committee

Glen O. Johnson

Committee

Jay Skidmore

Committee

Whorten Allen

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of grandfather's relationships with his adult child and their oldest child. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data, determine some personality and interaction patterns that can be observed as the male adult develops in the parent and grandparent roles, and examine how specific variables affect grandfather relationships and behavior. Data were gathered from 165 Utah State University students and their spouses, of which over 75% belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The results support good intergenerational relationships. Proximity of grandfather and extended family members was on the average 23 miles. The grandfather and adult child visited each other on the average of five times monthly. Grandfathers were seen as helpful, affectionate, and willing to sacrifice for the adult child if in need.

Insufficient data were gathered to support a conclusion that the quality of grandfather's relationship with either the adult child or the grandchild would be significantly related to grandfather age or the family member's sex.

Some trends suggest that females are more accepting of help from the grandfather. Also older grandfathers tended to be perceived to have a more positive relationship than their younger counterparts.

Perceptions of grandfathers' changing behavior over time indicated most grandfathers ' behaviors remain stable. When change did take place, it was significantly more likely to be in the direction of increased warmth and nurturing behaviors.

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