Grandfathers and Grandchildren: Patterns of Association, Helping, and Psychological Closeness

The present study analyzed data from 99 grandfathers living in a rural transitional area with regard to patterns of association and helping and levels of affect. The data showed the grandfather role to be of little relative importance as seen through low levels of interaction and priority as a role. This was despite the fact that older men had relatively high expectations for assistance from grandchildren in times of need. Geographical proximity was the factor most consistently related to the grandfathergrandchild relationship. The data suggest the low instrumental value of grandfathergrandchild roles and the areas in which they possibly may be strengthened.