Extending understanding of grandchild care on feelings of loneliness and isolation in later life: A literature review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Extending understanding of grandchild care on feelings of loneliness and isolation in later life: A literature review

AU - Quirke, Eleanor

AU - König, Hans-Helmut

AU - Hajek, André

PY - 2021/8

Y1 - 2021/8

N2 - The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents serious challenges across the world. Among these challenges are the possible negative implications for the mental health and well-being of older persons that ongoing social distancing measures may cause. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing body of literature explored the associations between grandchild caregiving, loneliness and social isolation. We summarize the existing literature on this topic. An association between the provision of grandchild care and reduced feelings of loneliness was found in cross-sectional studies; however, a longitudinal study identified possible gender differences in the impact of grandchild care on feelings of loneliness, with the commencement of grandchild care linked to grandfathers feeling lonelier. At the conclusion of the summary, we highlight the need for further research in this field. Further research is of particular relevance given the drastic changes to the way families and older people interact socially, brought about by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

AB - The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents serious challenges across the world. Among these challenges are the possible negative implications for the mental health and well-being of older persons that ongoing social distancing measures may cause. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing body of literature explored the associations between grandchild caregiving, loneliness and social isolation. We summarize the existing literature on this topic. An association between the provision of grandchild care and reduced feelings of loneliness was found in cross-sectional studies; however, a longitudinal study identified possible gender differences in the impact of grandchild care on feelings of loneliness, with the commencement of grandchild care linked to grandfathers feeling lonelier. At the conclusion of the summary, we highlight the need for further research in this field. Further research is of particular relevance given the drastic changes to the way families and older people interact socially, brought about by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

U2 - 10.1007/s00391-020-01776-5

DO - 10.1007/s00391-020-01776-5

M3 - SCORING: Review article

C2 - 32856121

VL - 54

SP - 513

EP - 516

JO - Z GERONTOL GERIATR

JF - Z GERONTOL GERIATR

SN - 0948-6704

IS - 5

ER -