THE IMPACT OF GENDER AND GRANDPARENTING ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING: THE PURPOSE IN LIFE

The unprecedented demographic changes due primarily to increased longevity and low fertility rates had implications for family relations, in particular for grandparent involvement with grandchildren. Grandparenting emerged as a support structure and the grandparent role became vital for many grandchildren in need of care. This paper examines the relationship between gender and caring for grandchildren on the psychological well-being of older adults. Using a sample of 652 adults 60 and older attending an educational program at the University of Valencia in Spain, we report on descriptive socio-demographic variables and examine the influence of gender and grandparenting on the participants’ p…