Grandmothers' care practices in areas of high deprivation of Scotland: the potential for health promotion

Chambers, S. A., , Dobbie, F., Radley, A. and Rowa-Dewar, N. (2022) Grandmothers' care practices in areas of high deprivation of Scotland: the potential for health promotion. Health Promotion International, 37(2), daab104. (doi: 10.1093/heapro/daab104) (PMID:34293129)

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Abstract

In many families grandparents play an essential role by providing secondary care for grandchildren. The family is a key setting for promoting children’s health; however, studies describing health initiatives with grandparents are rare. Grandparents could play an important role in promoting health for their grandchildren within their families and communities. The aim of this study was to examine the care practices of grandparents in families living in areas of high deprivation, and to consider the extent to which grandparents could be at the centre of health-promoting initiatives for children. A family practices approach was used to examine care practices within the framework of family resource (assets/capitals) use. In-depth interviews were carried out with grandmothers (n = 15) and mothers (n = 15) living in areas of high deprivation in Scotland. The results are presented as three economies of family living—political, moral and emotional. Grandparent care was described as a form of social capital, central to the wellbeing of the families, and enabled parents to access education and employment. Grandparent care was supported through families’ ability to access cultural amenities and green space (political). Grandparents’ care practices were described as either being responsible or fun (moral). Love appeared to be at the centre of grandparents’ care (emotional). The strengths and weaknesses of this framework were examined in relation to developing initiatives with grandparents. With further development work, grandparents could be the focus of health initiatives with their grandchildren with the support of appropriate policies and resources within their communities.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by the Cancer Research UK Population Research Committee - BUPA Foundation Fund - Innovation Grant under Grant C53245/A19672 and by the Medical Research Council under Strategic Award MC_PC_13027 and Grants MC_UU_12017/12 and MC_UU_12017/14, and by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates under Grants SPHSU12 and SPHSU14.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Dobbie, Ms Fiona and Chambers, Dr Stephanie
Authors: Chambers, S. A.,, Dobbie, F., Radley, A., and Rowa-Dewar, N.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences
College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
Journal Name:Health Promotion International
Publisher:Oxford University Press
ISSN:0957-4824
ISSN (Online):1460-2245
Published Online:22 July 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Health Promotion International 37(2): daab104
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
170832Growing GrandchildrenStephanie ChambersCancer Research UK (CRUK)C53245/A19672S&PS - Institute of Health & Wellbeing (Social Sciences)
168560MRC SPHSU/GU Transfer FellowshipsLaurence MooreMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_PC_13027HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
727641Understanding and Improving Health within Settings and OrganisationsKathryn HuntMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_12017/12HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
727661Complexity in Health ImprovementLaurence MooreMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_12017/14HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
727641Understanding and Improving Health within Settings and OrganisationsKathryn HuntChief Scientist Office (CSO)SPHSU12HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
727661Complexity in Health ImprovementLaurence MooreChief Scientist Office (CSO)SPHSU14HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit