First-Time Grandparenthood: Effects of On-Timeness and Off-Timeness

ABSTRACTThe present study explored the impact of the timeliness of first-time grandparenthood on grandparent well-being, role assumption, and grandchild relationship quality. Relying upon data gathered from 550 grandparents (M age = 63.53), the age at which persons first became grandparents was calculated and criteria for assessing the timeliness of its impact were developed. Comparisons across five age categories of timeliness as well as a three category schema suggested that while the timing of first-time grandparenthood negatively impacted adults’ emotional connection to a target grandchild, their efficacy as grandparents, their personal well-being, and their physical health, the strength and direction of such effects varied by specific grandparent outcomes. Having information regarding grandparent timeliness would be valuable in designing prospective (prior to the grandchild’s birth) support/or educational programs for such persons as well as for grandparents who are raising a grandchild at an inopportune time in their lives.KEYWORDS: Grandparentinglife eventson-timenessoff-timeness Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).