Grandchild care and loneliness

Abstract

This chapter provides a brief review of the relationship between grandchild care and loneliness/social isolation among older adults. Different forms of grandchild care are discussed. The social exchange theory and role strain and role enhancement theory are employed to explain the connection between grandchild care and loneliness/social isolation. This chapter then summarizes the state of the art of the effects of grandparental care on loneliness/social isolation among older adults and proposes future research directions.