Reunification in Custodial Grandfamilies: An Examination of Resilient Family Processes
Reunification in Custodial Grandfamilies: An Examination of Resilient Family Processes
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DOI：
10.1111/fare.12487
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发表时间：
2020-09-04
期刊：
影响因子：
2.2
通讯作者：
Hayslip, Bert, Jr.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Dolbin-MacNab, Megan L.;Smith, Gregory C.;Hayslip, Bert, Jr.
目的本研究旨在探讨监护祖母如何引导孙辈与亲生父母团聚的过程。背景以前的研究集中在与不成功的团聚，而不是弹性的家庭过程，可能支持成功的团聚相关的因素。尽管祖父母的关系结构独特，而且祖父母经常参与抚养孙辈，但他们如何处理家庭团聚问题尚未得到研究。方法以沃尔什的家庭弹性模型为指导，采用半结构化、深入的定性访谈方法，对17名监护孙辈与亲生父母团聚的祖母进行了方便样本的调查。数据分析采用扎根理论方法。结果祖母相信父母履行自己的义务，优先考虑孙子的需要，并通过他们的信仰应对。祖母通过提供情感支持和工具性援助，支持父母和子女团聚，同时保持明确的角色界限。尽管在处理家庭关系方面仍然存在挑战，但可获得的资源和开放的家庭沟通有助于家庭团聚。结论在监护祖父母，并不是所有的团聚是一个积极的结果的孙子。祖母仍然积极参与支持和监测家庭团聚，祖母与父母关系的质量至关重要。影响从业者应解决家庭动态工作时，与监护祖父母之前，期间和之后的团聚。
Objective This study examined how custodial grandmothers navigated the process of their grandchildren being reunified with a biological parent. Background Prior research has focused on factors associated with unsuccessful reunification instead of resilient family processes that may support successful reunification. How custodial grandfamilies navigate reunification has not been examined, despite their unique relational configuration and grandparents' frequent involvement in raising their grandchildren. Method Guided by Walsh's model of family resilience, semistructured, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 17 grandmothers whose custodial grandchildren had been reunified with a biological parent. Data analysis was guided by grounded theory methodology. Results Grandmothers believed in parents fulfilling their obligations, prioritizing grandchildren's needs, and coping via their faith. Grandmothers supported reunified parents and children by providing emotional support and instrumental assistance, while maintaining clear role boundaries. Accessing resources and engaging in open family communication were helpful to the reunification, although there were still challenges in navigating family relationships. Conclusion Within custodial grandfamilies, not all reunifications were a positive outcome for the grandchildren. Grandmothers remained heavily involved in supporting and monitoring the reunifications, with the quality of the grandmother-parent relationship being paramount. Implications Practitioners should address family dynamics when working with custodial grandfamilies before, during, and after a reunification.