Parenting Challenges Among Kinship Caregivers: Difference and Similarities Between Grandparent Caregivers and Other Relative Caregivers

Background and Purpose: Most kinship families are not in the foster care system and thus their characteristics and challenges are relatively unknown. Available research indicates many kinship caregivers experience financial and parenting challenges. However, this research is largely based on grandparents. To our knowledge, no empirical study has analyzed the experience of other relatives. This paper aims to fill this gap by examining the characteristics of grandparent kin caregivers (GPCGs) as well as other relative caregivers (ORCGs) while focusing on the differences and similarities between the two groups, particularly in the area of parenting stress.

Methods: This mixed methods study is based on analysis of focus group and survey data from caregivers in a northeastern state. Four focus groups, two with GPCGs and two with ORCGs, were conducted to explore: 1) the family contexts of placement with kin; and 2) experiences and challenges of providing out of home care. Trained interviewers completed the survey via phone with 304 families where they asked the primary kin caregiver questions on demographic and socio-economic variables, health and child welfare history of the kin children, and parenting distress (PD) using the Parenting Stress Index (PSI).

Results: Most families care for one kin child and are living in poverty (66%, 61%). GPCGs represented about two-thirds of caregivers (mean age 57) while ORGCs were the rest (mean age 45). Compared to ORCGs, GPCGs were significantly more likely to have children two or younger placed with them and were less likely to have their own children at home. Caregiver's race, poverty status, and the focal kin’s current age were not significantly different between groups. GPCGs more frequently experienced clinically higher levels of PD (38%) compared with ORCGs (13%). After controlling caregiver race, poverty status, age, the presence of their own child in the home, the number of years the kinship child lived with them, and the kinship child’s age, the results indicate that GPCGs were 63% more likely to report clinically significant parental distress than ORCGs. Focus group data indicates that DSS or the kinship children’s parents pressured GPCGs to provide care, and they experience guilt and stress in caring for young children. Both groups identified lack of social support and financial assistance as challenges. Tension with the biological parents, social isolation, and kin children emotional difficulties aggravated parenting stress.

Conclusions and Implications: The results of this study indicate a significant proportion of kinship children are with ORCGs. Their characteristics are similar to those of GPCGs. Both groups suffer from social isolation and lack of support. While both are experiencing parenting difficulties, especially with very young children and adolescents, GPCGs face unique challenges.  Recent efforts to place children with kin contributed to an increased number of children in informal kinship care. However, consistent and coherent policies for providing services to kin families are yet to be developed. Researchers need to pay attention to outcomes for children whose caregivers experience higher level of stress.