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RESEARCH PRODUCT

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

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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’ pursuit of goals and sense of purpose in life, as measured by the Ryff Scale of psychological well-being. Participants’ information included socio-demographic characteristics, involvement with their grandchildren and well-being. Purpose in life indicates that the individual has goals in life and a sense of directedness; feels there is meaning to present and past life; holds beliefs that give life purpose; has objectives for living. Results indicated a significant interaction of gender and involvement on grandparenting caregiving on the purpose in life psychological well-being. Men caring for grandchildren reported much lower levels on purpose in life than their counterpart women. Multivariate analyses revealed that the interaction was significant (F 3,1419 = 3.778; p = .011; η2 =.023). Our findings confirm the influence of gender and caring for grandchildren on the ability of women to create life purpose. We discuss implications and call for models that consider mechanisms for adults to improve well-being.