Adapting Publications for Local Audiences: Learning from Focus Groups and Community Experts

Many Extension professional rely on publications such as brochures and fact sheets to communicate with members of unique populations. This article describes the process of adapting existing publications for local audiences, with examples from a project adapting brochures for custodial grandparents in Hawaii. Benefits of this process include more effective publications that have been tailored to local populations as well as increased communication with such populations

“These classes have been my happy place”: Feasibility study of a self-care program in Native Hawaiian custodial grandparents

Native Hawaiian custodial grandparents have a distinctive set of strengths and challenges that may lead them to benefit from a structured self-care program. The purpose of this paper is to describe a feasibility study with nine Native Hawaiian custodial grandparents who participated in a 6-week self-care intervention. Based on open-ended questions during the post-questionnaire and at the 6-month follow-up focus group, grandparent participants noted that their grandchildren needed education and clothing. Most grandparents did not endorse statements that their grandchildren had any mental or physical health conditions. Grandparents reflected that the intervention provided them with skills to help cope with raising grandchildren and helped them realize the importance of their health to providing care to their grandchildren. Based on the findings from this pilot study, the self-care approach may have benefits for Native Hawaiian custodial grandparents

Recognizing Microaggressions: A Framework for Helping Grandfamilies

Microaggressions are manifestations of prejudice targeted toward socially marginalized groups. They may take several forms: subtle discriminatory remarks, behavior, or environmental characteristics. In contrast to overt aggressions, microagressions are not easy to detect and often invisible to both perpetrator and recipient. Existing research demonstrates that experiencing microaggressions is harmful to members of stigmatized groups and provides a framework to combat these negative effects. Although most of the literature on microaggressions is focused on groups characterized by minority race and female gender, microagressions might also be experienced by members of grandfamilies, who often have socially marginalized status. Microagressions toward grandfamilies may take three main forms: microassaults (discrimination), microinsults (insensitivity), and microinvalidations (nullification of experience). Service providers working with grandfamilies can learn to identify microaggressions and suggest ways by which grandfamilies can minimize or eliminate their influence. This article reviews the theoretical framework of microaggressions and notes ways in which it is applicable to grandfamilies. It also includes how this concept may strengthen the work of professionals who assist grandfamilies

Wellbeing Among Rural Grandfamilies in Two Multigenerational Household Structures

Multigenerational households are an understudied type of grandfamily. In rural communities, these households are likely to be economically disadvantaged and underserved. Drawing from a subset (N = 63) of low-income multigenerational households in a multistate research study, Rural Families Speak About Health, the present study compares demographic characteristics, parent and child wellbeing, and family processes in two types of multigenerational household structures: one-parent/grandparent families and two-parent/grandparent families. Research on these multigenerational household configurations is rare despite the potential for different needs, strengths, and services. Results indicate no differences in economic hardship or disadvantage by household type. Children in one-parent/grandparent households were older, and mothers reported providing more elder care than in two-parent/grandparent homes. There were no statistically significant differences in mother or child wellbeing across these family structures. Differences in family processes emerged. Specifically, mothers’ reports of parenting alliances and family routines varied by household type such that mothers in one-parent/grandparent households reported stronger parenting alliances and more stable family routines than those in two-parent/grandparent families. Implications of the findings for service professionals seeking to design and implement family support and prevention programs for grandfamilies, particularly in rural areas, are discussed

Effects of stress on health and aging: Two paradoxes

Although older adults are thought to experience more stress and to be more vulnerable to its adverse effects, they often report less stress than younger adults and sometimes show more resilience. Paradoxically, while stress sometimes has long-term positive effects on well-being, studies differ as to whether this increases or decreases with age. We conclude that older individuals have learned to appraise and cope differently with stress. This protects them in spite of their increased physiological vulnerability and may also increase the possibility of stress-related growth and optimal aging

Effects of stress on health and aging: Two paradoxes

Although older adults are thought to experience more stress and to be more vulnerable to its adverse effects, they often report less stress than younger adults and sometimes show more resilience. Paradoxically, while stress sometimes has long-term positive effects on well-being, studies differ as to whether this increases or decreases with age. We conclude that older individuals have learned to appraise and cope differently with stress. This protects them in spite of their increased physiological vulnerability and may also increase the possibility of stress-related growth and optimal agin