Parental Stress in Grandparents Versus Parents Raising Children With Behavior Problems

Primary caregivers of 82 children exhibiting behavior problems were categorized into 3 family types: grandparent, single-parent, or two-parent. Each caregiver completed the Parenting Stress Index and the Child Behavior Checklist. Results of statistical comparisons revealed that although all caregivers reported significant levels of behavior problems in their children, parents from both single- and two-parent families reported higher levels of parental stress relative to grandparents. Discussion focuses on the need to identify the specific types of stressors affecting families of different constellations to develop appropriate treatment programs for clinic-referred children and their families.