Predictors of Parenting Stress Among American Indian Grandparents Serving As Primary Caregivers for Their Grandchildren

Background and Purpose:  According to the 2010 Census, well over 76,000 American Indian grandparents are the primary caregivers for their own grandchildren under the age of 18.  Because of the importance of American Indian grandparents assuming primary caregiving roles in their families, more research is needed on how to better support these grandparents. To that end, we engaged in an exploratory study to ask the question “what demographic variables predict parenting stress among a sample of American Indian grandparents?” Methods: Our sample consisted of self-identified American Indian grandparents receiving health and mental health services from a clinic devoted to serving American Indian  families in a medium-sized city located in the south central United States. Participants were recruited in the lobby of the clinic and were offered $20.00 for participation. Our sample consisted of 49 participants of whom were asked demographic questions along with items based on the Parental Stress Scale.  The scale is designed to measure perceptions of stress associated with parenting.  Data was analyzed by dummy coding the demographic variables in order to serve as predictors in a forced entry multiple regression model. The continuous variable of parenting stress served as the criterion variable.  Results: The demographics of our sample included an average age of 54 years and an average income of $18,396. 86% were female and 76% had less than a college degree. For parenting stress, reliability scores were α = .76, indicating no measurement error. After meeting statistical assumptions, results of our multiple regression model indicated that, of the variables of age, income, sex, and education, only grandparents’ education was approaching statistical significance (β = .239; p = .129) with a positive relationship with parenting stress. Conclusion: Our results provide empirical support for the psychological construct known as role captivity.  Role captivity holds that limitations on the pursuit of opportunities by the demands of parenting can generate stress for some parents. In the case of our sample, those grandparents with a higher education likely have more opportunities afforded them by that education, but may be limited by the demands of parenting, thus contributing to greater stress.  Our results suggest the need for further research into role captivity among American Indian grandparents with higher educations and their potentially greater needs for psychological support.