Lived Experiences of Adolescents Living with their Grandparents

This study explored the lived experiences of adolescents raised by their grandparents, aiming to understand the emotional, psychological, and social implications of grandparental care. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), six junior high school students who had been under grandparental care since childhood were purposively selected as co-researchers. Through in-depth interviews, the study identified six key themes: Aspired by the Presence of Grandparents, Living Indulgent with Favor, Living with Gladness but Still Longing for Completeness, Choosing Silence, Finding Peace, Feeling the Weight of Challenges, and Surviving through Striving. These themes reflected both the supportive and restrictive aspects of being raised by grandparents—revealing experiences of love, stability, and security alongside emotional longing, pressure, and limited independence. Findings indicated that grandparental upbringing significantly shapes adolescents’ emotional resilience, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. Positive caregiving fosters a sense of belonging and confidence, while overly permissive or traditional parenting styles can lead to self-doubt and internal conflict. The study’s implications highlight the need for schools to provide targeted counseling and psychoeducational programs to support students in nontraditional family structures. Moreover, seminars promoting intergenerational understanding are recommended to strengthen communication between grandparents and adolescents. By bridging generational gaps and addressing emotional needs, institutions can promote healthier psychosocial development. Future research should include participants from varied socioeconomic backgrounds and compare adolescents raised by grandparents with those raised by biological parents to deepen insights into the diverse impacts of family structure on adolescent well-being.