Citation

Edwards OW. Contemp. Sch. Psychol. 2016; 20(3): 254-261.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, California Association of School Psychologists)

DOI

10.1007/s40688-015-0082-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Empirical research investigating the growing population of children raised by grandparents remains sparse. Much of the research examines the grandparents' functioning and suggests that they experience heightened psychosocial distress. Although the children are reported to manifest psychosocial and behavioral difficulty, a dearth of empirical research investigates their perceptions of their peer relationships or bullying involvement. Research suggests the children's developmental trajectory is likely influenced by their potential for insecure attachment. In this study, a nationally representative US sample of 4552 seventh- and eighth-grade children raised by their grandparents obtained from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children survey is examined. The results reveal that head-of-household arrangement is associated with the children's self-reported perceptions of bullying behavior. Children raised by grandparents will likely benefit from bullying prevention programs that take into account the specific dynamics, such as insecure attachment, associated with living in this alternate family arrangement.

Language: en