O tornar-se avó no processo de individuação

Abstract

Becoming a grandmother points out a transition period in the family life cycle, marked by significant psych transformations for the grandmothers, characterizing the fourth individuation. This study aimed at investigating the experience of becoming a grandmother and its importance in the individuation process. A collective case study design was used. Eleven grandmothers, aged 49 to 66, whose daughters had their first child, answered a semi-structured interview. All grandmothers had had their first grandchildren and the interview referred to their experience as grandmothers of these grandchildren. The results showed that being a grandmother is a source of renewal and rebirth. The study enabled the participants to reflect on their different family roles: grandmother, mother, grandchild and child. The data suggest that becoming a grandmother enables old conflicts to be re-thought, renewing old ties and desires, and as a result, enabling the grandmother to give one more step towards her individuation.