Date of Conferral
2021
Degree
Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
School
Social Work
Advisor
Yvonne Chase
Abstract
AbstractOver the last 30 years, there has been an increase of grandparents who are raising grandchildren. Grandparents often need social services such as case management, legal services, counseling, adoption, and custody services. Although grandparents feel it is rewarding to raise their grandchildren, there are also challenges. Participatory action research was used as the method of study. Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory was used to guide the participatory action research. Participants included social workers and social service workers from various social service agencies in Atlanta, Georgia. This study aimed to understand grandparents' needs and how prepared social workers and social service workers are to meet the needs of grandparents as well as resources needed for grandparents raising their grandchildren. Eleven individual phone interviews were conducted. Through coding and thematic analysis, four themes developed: grandparents raising grandchildren, the mental and physical impact and demands of grandparents raising grandchildren. Also, the services and benefits provided to grandparents raising grandchildren, and resources needed by grandparents raising grandchildren. The results of this study built upon the existing body of knowledge regarding grandparents who are in parental roles. Positive social change implications are included on a micro, meso, exo and macro level.
Recommended Citation
Rogers, Anetrice Nicole, "Grandparents in Parental Roles with Grandchildren and Social Work Practice" (2021). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 9805.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/9805
