Rural African American grandmothers raising grandchildren: The impact of chronic illness

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of eight African American grandmothers residing in rural North Carolina caring for their grandchildren, while suffering from chronic health issues. The research questions for this study are as follows: (1. What is the perceived impact of chronic health issues on African American grandmothers raising their grandchildren in rural North Carolina? (2. How do grandmothers who reside in rural communities describe how their health issues have impacted their ability to care for their grandchild? (3. Do perceptions of social support and life transitions impact grandmother's health? The research examined the health, physical functioning, well-being, social support, and resources of these grandmothers. Family development theory and Wellness theory formed the theoretical frameworks for understanding the impact of the health issues on these grandmothers. The grandmothers reported challenges and needs which included their own health issues, financial difficulties, limited support, transportation difficulties, and childcare concerns. A major finding was that the grandmother's health did not negatively impact their ability to care for their grandchildren. Developing health education programs and other formal supports which focus on the health of the grandmothers, their financial difficulties, transportation needs, respite, and childcare may help address grandmother's perceptions of their changing health and level of community and social support.

Copyright - Copyright ProQuest, UMI Dissertations Publishing 2013 Last updated - 2014-01-28 First page - n/a

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