Study on the development and effectiveness assessment of a parenting stress management program for grandmothers caring for grandchildren

This study was conducted in developing a parenting stress management program for grandmothers caring for their grandchildren and verify its effectiveness. A 16-session program developed through preliminary research was conducted for 3 months on 10 participants who were all providing care for their grandchildren and currently using a ‘A’ senior welfare center. To verify the effectiveness of the program, we applied a mixed-method approach using frequency analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, a Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and an interview. The main results of the study are as follows. First, it was found that the grandmother's parenting stress management program significantly reduced the level of the grandmother's parenting stress and significantly increased the level of social support and meaning as a grandparent. Second, among the stress coping methods; problem-focused coping and social support seeking(which are active coping methods), statistically increased significantly compared to prior results. However, emotional relief coping, which is a passive coping method, showed a significant decrease. Third, it was found that they(the care giving grandmothers) experienced changes in values, coping methods, and roles through the program. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested to initiate the program operation and start policy support options to reduce the parenting stress of supportive parenting grandmothers, along with finding further ideas for follow-up studies that have been provided.