Nurturing Grandchildren With Down Syndrome: A Qualitative Study on Grandparents’ Needs Using Digital Tools
Date
2021-09-12
Authors
Sánchez-Gómez, M. C.
Martín-Sevillano, R.
Martín-Cilleros, M. V.
Mena, J. J.
García-Peñalvo, F. J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers
Abstract
Grandparents who have grandchildren with disabilities are an underrepresented group
in existing research related to the field. This qualitative phenomenological study’s
general purpose is to analyze, from a personal perspective, the situations and needs
of grandparents who have grandchildren with Down syndrome. The participants’ ages
range from 65 to 85, and the ages of their grandchildren with Down syndrome range
from 3 to 21 years. All participants had one grandchild with a disability, except for two,
who each had two. A sociodemographic questionnaire was administered, and individual
interviews were conducted, using open questions, through phone and/or video calls. An
analysis of the participants’ speech was carried out, which implied the development of a
system of meta-categories and categories. This analysis was developed manually, given
the COVID-19 environment. The results indicate a substantial change from negative
feelings caused by the knowledge of the diagnosis to feelings related to positive
experiences expressed currently. The participants see themselves as a fundamental
source of support (informal, instrumental, practical, social, emotional, and economic)
for their families and, mainly, for their grandchildren with Down syndrome. A need for
information and training was observed when the grandparents talked about first being
informed of the diagnosis and their concerns about the future of these grandchildren
and their siblings. They made social demands, such as greater government involvement
or more significant opportunities to access resources and rights for their grandchildren.
The results are discussed, as are possible future research directions.
Description
Keywords
grandparents, Down syndrome, grandchildren, needs, family, qualitative investigation
Citation
Sánchez-Gómez, M. C., Martín-Sevillano, R., Martín-Cilleros, M. V., Mena, J. J., & García-Peñalvo, F. J. (2021). Nurturing Grandchildren With Down Syndrome: A Qualitative Study on Grandparents’ Needs Using Digital Tools. Frontiers in Psychology, 12(3789), Article 661205. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.661205