• 332-01 - Grandparent Involvement in Mexican-American Families With Toddlers
  Presented by: Melissa A. Barnett, Jennifer Mortensen, Henry Gonzalez, Elizabeth Tilley
• 332-02 - Factors Influencing Well-being in a Comparative Sample of Older Americans
  Presented by: Farrell J Webb, Vera White
• 332-03 - Grandmothers’ Socialization of African-American Teen Males Into Fatherhood
  Presented by: Ebony Reddock, Cleopatra Caldwell

Abstracts

Grandparent Involvement in Mexican-American Families With Toddlers

Presented by: Melissa A. Barnett, Jennifer Mortensen, Henry Gonzalez, Elizabeth Tilley

This study applies an intergenerational ecodevelopmental perspective to consider factors linked to mother-reported maternal grandparent involvement in a community sample of Mexican American mothers of toddlers.  We examine the extent to which contextual, grandparent, maternal, intergenerational, and child factors are associated with grandparent involvement.  Preliminary results indicate that younger maternal age, better mother-grandparent relationship quality and closer geographic proximity predict higher grandparent involvement, with some variations for grandmothers and grandfathers.  Further, grandfather involvement was negatively associated with maternal psychological distress, but geographic proximity moderated this association for grandmothers.  We will discuss the research and applied implications for intergenerational well-being.  

Factors Influencing Well-being in a Comparative Sample of Older Americans

Presented by: Farrell J Webb, Vera White

The relationship between well-being, health, and race has received inconsistent attention in the well-being and quality of life literature (Andrew & Withey, 1976; Hayward & Heron, 1999; Laditka, Corwin, Laditka, et al., 2009). It is commonly believed that as one ages there is a decline in health, and that this linked to poorer well-being (Rowe & Kahn 1998; Scheier, Carver & Bridges, 1994). This investigation examines this using gerotranscendence theory (Tornstam, 1994) which describes individual aging progression and serves as a social blueprint. The findings show that the link between race and well-being continues to exist.

Grandmothers’ Socialization of African-American Teen Males Into Fatherhood

Presented by: Ebony Reddock, Cleopatra Caldwell

Little is known about the factors informing paternal grandmothers' satisfaction with their African American teen sons' fathering practices, although this satisfaction is associated with teen father involvement.  Qualitative data from 54 grandmothers was examined to identify factors related to their satisfaction.  Grandmothers expected an ideal father would be responsible in providing and caring for his children.  They also identified practices that informed their satisfaction with sons and offered specific interpretations to explain their reasons for being satisfied.  These results have implications for research on teen fatherhood and interventions meant to enhance teen fathers’ involvement in rearing their children.