The Journey From Grandparent to Parent: Perceptions of Adoptive Grandparents Post-Adoption

Past literature on grandparents raising grandchildren has focused primarily on grandparents serving as guardians, with little knowledge about those families where grandparents make the permanent decision to adopt and raise their grandchildren. Making a permanent decision to raise a second family later in life affects nearly every facet of life and yet little is known about this phenomenon and the changes grandparents must navigate. This qualitative research study examined the lived experiences including challenges and developmental shifts for 10 grandparents who adopted their grandchildren. The phenomenological study used the Family Adaptation and Adjustment Response (FAAR) Model to identify stressors, strains, resources, coping, and meaning-making of the experience. Results demonstrate similarities but also differences with past studies of grandparents raising grandchildren, indicating some unique experiences and challenges. Implications inform those areas where additional resources and support are needed, and policy changes are warranted.