Care Stress and Quality of Life of Grandmothers Caring for Their Grandchildren in Employment Mother's Home

Oh, Jina

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to examine the degree of care stress and the quality of life of grandmothers caring for their grandchildren while mother was employed. Method: A convenience sample of 107 grandmothers were measured for grandmother's care stress using a revised for of the PSI/SF and the quality of life tool by Andrew and Weinert. Descriptive statistics, t-test, and Pearson correlation coeffcients were used to analyze the data using SPSS/PC 10.0 Results: The results found that grandmothers' care stress was high according to their age and religion. Their quality of life was low according to their age, their present health status, income and sleep pattern. Their subjective care stress was a sense of social isolation, burden of caring for grandchildren, health problems, and conflict with adult children. Care stress and quality of life were found to be negatively correlated. This result was statistically significant. Conclusion: In conclusion, it was found that the care stress was high and affected quality of life. From this study it is proposed that there is a need to develop programs which consider grandmother' techniques in child care and health care to improve their quality of life. Ultimately, a good care environment for children will be good for the children's growth and development.