Intergenerational Conversations and Social Well-Being: How Race and Gender Shape Grandparent-Grandchild Discussions

Grandparenting is a complex, culturally shaped role that remains understudied. Using data from 492 older adults (Mage = 71) in the St. Louis Personality and Aging Network study, this research examined grandparent-grandchild conversations across 14 topics. Grandmothers reported more frequent conversations than grandfathers, and Black grandparents more often discussed race and identity than White grandparents. Compared to past generations, current grandparents engage in topically broader, more frequent exchanges. Conversations about education, social change, and leisure were linked to greater perceived social contribution and fulfillment, highlighting intergenerational communication as an important factor in social well-being.