From Strangers to Family: Fostering Resilience Through Social Support in Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren

Grandparents often unexpectedly assume the role of caregiver with little support. Supporting these caregivers is critical for their health and well-being and that of their grandchildren. This study examines how family-like relationships formed during the GC+ intervention, increasing social support and resilience among grandparent caregivers. Four grandmothers, raising a total of five grandsons, participated in a focus group six months post-intervention. Grandmothers were asked to share their opinions and thoughts regarding the intervention. Using the Convoy Model and Resilience Theory, researchers conducted a deductive content analysis of participants’ perspectives on close family-like relationships cultivated during the intervention. Findings suggest close personal connections that provide support and promote resilience in grandparent caregivers can be cultivated. Particularly, the grandmothers described forming an inner circle of support characterized by shared experiences, mutual understanding, reciprocity, and shared resources. These connections strengthened adaptive capacity and a sense of belonging, creating a self-sustaining convoy that extended beyond the intervention. Results highlight the protective role of close supportive relationships in promoting resilience and are discussed using participants' quotes to ensure their voices are represented. Future research could explore how personal characteristics influence convoys and how interventions that intentionally foster enduring family-like connections can be developed. Implications for practice include using social convoy assessments to optimize the allocation of formal supports while also designing formal supports that encourage long-term engagement and foster environments of safety, respect, trust, and understanding.