Grandparents' role in divorced and separated families in Ireland

Divorce and separation impact upon relationships within nuclear and extended families, including relationships between grandparents, the divorced/separated couple and grandchildren. This study sought to acquire a better understanding of how these inter-generational relationships are affected following divorce/separation. In particular, it sought to explore some aspects of the experience and practical consequences of family break-up from the perspective of grandparents, a group rarely considered in discussions on divorce/separation.

Based on the findings of in-depth interviews with grandparents, the study acquired an insight into intergenerational family dynamics post-divorce/separation. It explored the extent to which grandparents of divorced families provided additional social, economic, practical and personal assistance to their children and grandchildren following a divorce/separation, or whether, in fact, their role as grandparents pre-divorce were transformed and contact with grandchildren diminished. The study also identified the support needs of grandparents, divorced/separated spouses and children within the context of fostering inter-generational relationships in post-divorce/separation scenarios.

This project was funded by the Family Support Agency.
Project PI: Virpi Timonen, co-investigators Martha Doyle and Ciara O'Dwyer.
Timeframe: June 08 to March 09

In addition to the study report, the research also resulted in 3 articles published in the Journal of Family Relations, the Journal of Comparative Family Studies (Forthcoming 2011) and the Journal of Family Issues (Forthcoming 2011)