CUSTODIAL GRANDPARENTS AND RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY

这一建议是对PAR-02-049的响应，旨在通过开展研究，弄清社会经济地位、社会和环境因素、健康行为以及种族和族裔对健康的影响，减少老年人和人口之间的健康差距。非裔美国人祖父母监护的数量一直在稳步增长。许多祖父母看护人因看护而感到压力，社会和经济福祉下降，身体健康状况下降。随着对这一领域兴趣的增长，关于祖父母应对照顾压力的方法的问题也在增加。关于在抚养孙辈的祖父母中使用宗教和精神实践的数据很少。初步结果表明，非裔美国人被监护的祖父母具有很强的宗教性和精神性，而这种宗教性和精神性可能是一种应对方式

This proposal is in response to PAR-02-049 to reduce health disparities among older persons and populations by conducting research to disentangle the effects of socio-economic status, social and environmental factors, health behaviors, and race and ethnicity on health. There has been a steady increase in the number of Afi'ican American custodial grandparents. Many grandparent caregivers experience stress, decreased social and economic well-being and reduced physical health as a result of caregiving. As interest in this area grows, questions as to methods grandparents use to cope with the stress ofcaregiving increase. There is a paucity of data available on the use of religious and spiritual practices among grandparents who raise their grandchildren. Preliminary results suggest that Afi'ican American custodial grandparents are very religious and spiritual, and that religiosity and spirituality may serve as coping mechanisms for grandparents who are primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Research in the area of cognition and aging suggests that there may be differences in the cognitive abilities of those actively involved in social activities. Preliminary results suggest that older African Americans that gave support have higher levels of everyday problem solving abilities. The primary aim of this study is to examine the impact of the social activities many custodial grandparents engage in which include religious activities and activities surrounding raising their grandchildren as a protective factor against the stressors associated with caregiving and a method to enhance their cognitive abilities. While designed primarily to assess the relation between the stressors of custodial grandparenting, religion/spirituality and cognition, the proposed study has clinical and policy implications. Clinically, the results of the proposed study could help identify topics to be addressed in grandparent caregiver support groups, such as problem solving skills and coping skills. It will also aid in assessing the types of practical skills needed to provide care for other. In the realm of policy, the results of the current study could identify the areas of concern for grandparent caregivers, such as obtaining access to medical care for their grandchildren. The research team includes the principal investigator and the consultant. The investigators have prior experience, publications, and preliminary data on working with older African Americans.