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This study examined whether grandparents perceive adult grandchildren as frequent and important contacts by analyzing network membership. It additionally examined whether this network membership is related to relationship intensity during childhood. Network membership was assessed in 1992 (397 grandparents, 1,594 adult grandchildren) and at the 2005–2006 follow‐up (155 grandparents, 429 adult grandchildren) from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Relationship intensity during childhood was assessed in 1992. One out of 4 grandparents identified at least 1 adult grandchild in their personal network. Adult grandchildren who had an intense relationship with their grandparents during childhood were more often in grandparents' network than others. An intense relationship during childhood promotes continuation of the relationship into adulthood and might contribute to grandparent's support potential.

Communication technologies play an important role in maintaining the grandparent-grandchild (GP-GC) relationship. Based on Media Richness Theory, this study investigates the frequency of use (RQ1) and perceived quality (RQ2) of established media as well as the potential use of selected innovative media (RQ3) in GP-GC relationships with a particular focus on digital media. A cross-sectional online survey and vignette experiment were conducted in February 2021 among N = 286 university students in Germany (mean age 23 years, 57% female) who reported on the direct and mediated communication with their grandparents. In addition to face-to-face interactions, non-digital and digital established media (such as telephone, texting, video conferencing) and innovative digital media, namely augmented reality (AR)-based and social robot-based communication technologies, were covered. Face-to-face and phone communication occurred most frequently in GP-GC relationships: 85% of participants reported them taking place at least a few times per year (RQ1). Non-digital established media were associated with higher perceived communication quality than digital established media (RQ2). Innovative digital media received less favorable quality evaluations than established media. Participants expressed doubts regarding the technology competence of their grandparents, but still met innovative media with high expectations regarding improved communication quality (RQ3). Richer media, such as video conferencing or AR, do not automatically lead to better perceived communication quality, while leaner media, such as letters or text messages, can provide rich communication experiences. More research is needed to fully understand and systematically improve the utility, usability, and joy of use of different digital communication technologies employed in GP-GC relationships.

This study examined whether young adult grandchildren's reports on the closeness, importance, and satisfaction with their favorite grandparent were moderated by the gender of the grandchild, grandparent, or parent and whether these associations, if found, supported kin-keeper versus kin-selector theories of family relations. Participants were 206 American young adults with a favorite living grandparent. Gender was related to both the closeness and importance young adults ascribed to the relation they have with their grandparents. No effects of gender on satisfaction with the grandchild-grandparent relation were found. Stronger support for men and women as kin keepers rather than as kin selectors was found.

AbstractThere is evidence that grandchildren and grandparents in Chinese left‐behind families (CLBF) suffer from immense life stressors. The well‐being of both generations is of great concern. Guided by the family adjustment and adaptation response model and ecological model of well‐being, the present study aimed to investigate the dyadic associations between family resilience and subjective well‐being (SWB) of left‐behind grandchildren and grandparents. Furthermore, we explored the extent to which relationship quality accounts for such reciprocal associations. A sample of 130 left‐behind grandparent–grandchild (GP–GC) pairs completed self‐reported questionnaires. Actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) revealed that both grandchildren's and grandparents' reported family resilience positively associated with their own SWB but not the other's SWB. Grandchildren's and grandparents' perceived relationship quality mediated the association between their perceived family resilience and their own SWB. Moreover, grandchildren‐perceived relationship quality mediated the association between grandchildren‐perceived family resilience and grandparents' SWB. Meanwhile, grandparent‐perceived relationship quality mediated the association between grandparent‐perceived family resilience and grandchildren's SWB. The findings highlighted the significance of family resilience and relationship quality in boosting the two generations' SWB in CLBF. The results also suggested that left‐behind grandchildren and their grandparents depend on each other. Future intervention programs could be benefitted from integrating the enhancement of family resilience and improvement of grandparent–grandchild relationship quality to promote the well‐being of left‐behind family members.

Introduction -- Theoretical section -- Archetypes concept and emergence theory -- Symbols and analytical psychology -- Images of age in narratives (fairy tales, myths, stories and legends) -- Internal working models, complex and intersubjectivity -- Archetypal present moments -- Social significance of the grandparents-grandchild relationship -- Clinical section -- Intersubjectivity in clinical practice -- Clinical examples