‘I Am Still Concerned About Them’: Grandmother Kinship Caregivers and the Challenge of Abuse by Children in Their Care

ABSTRACT Research evidence has shown that adverse occurrences within the kinship caregiving environment, such as the grandparents' experiences of violence and abuse, may introduce new stressors or exacerbate existing aged‐related challenges, leading to adverse impacts on grandparent kinship carers. Yet no research has explored the impact of abuse and violence experienced by grandparent kinship caregivers from children in their care. This study involved narrative interviews with 31 grandmother kinship caregivers in Ghana to explore the adverse effects of the abuse they have experienced from children in their care. The study findings revealed the following impacts on grandmothers: (1) high blood pressure, (2) community violence, (3) shame and isolation, (4) low self‐esteem and efficacy and (5) anxiety. Abuse incidents motivated by witchcraft accusations were legitimized by other community members, leading to acts of community violence towards the grandmothers. Despite the adverse impacts on their well‐being, the grandmothers expressed grave concerns about their grandchildren and were not willing to terminate their caregiving responsibilities due to the cultural norms and obligations underlying kinship care arrangement. The findings suggest the need for the development of targeted family‐based and age‐appropriate education and training for children in grandparent kinship care on abuse towards grandmothers.