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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Social Work
Notes
- Abstract:
- The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of grandparents who are cut off from their grandchildren. There is a lack of understanding and description of such grandparent experiences in the literature. Bowen family system theory was used to view associated multigenerational family processes and cutoff. This quantitative research study used an initial pilot study phase to design and validate the Survey of Cut Off Grandparents (SCOG). Experts in the fields of family estrangement, alienation, and family systems therapy were invited to provide feedback regarding proposed survey items. Included in the survey were the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R), the Complicated Grief Assessment (CGA), and a measure of self-reported health (SRH). Surveys were administered electronically to 377 grandparents associated with Alienated Grandparents Anonymous (AGA), an international support group. Factor analyses identified three scores measuring the degree of cutoff: Current Cutoff, Prior Closeness, and a Total SCOG score. SCOG scores were significantly related to depression, complicated grief, and decreased reported overall health and well-being when degree of cutoff was combined with the prior level of grandparent-grandchild emotional closeness. As measured by the BDI-II, 46% of grandparents who were completely cut off from contact with their grandchildren met criteria for depression, and 29% met criteria for being at risk for suicidal behaviors according to the SBQ-R. Potential pathways to cutoff included death, divorce, or alienation of the adult child. Although 72% of grandparents sought counseling to cope with being cut off, over a third found the counseling ineffective. The findings of the study have implications for social work education, practice, and political advocacy. Given that cut-off grandparents experience significant levels of depression, suicidal thinking, and complicated grief, appropriate social work and societal interventions are necessary.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Barry University, 2019.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-115).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Carol Gollly. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- HQ759.9.G65 2019_GollyCarolA ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- HQ759.9.G65 2019 ( lcc )
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