Grandparenting perceptions among Black and White American adults: comparisons across gender, race, and personality

Despite the importance of grandparenthood as a prominent life role in older adulthood, there remains a paucity of research into individual differences in the perception of grandparenthood. The current study employed data from the St. Louis Personality and Aging Network dataset to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Experiences of Grandparenting (MEG) scale and to examine the extent to which perceptions of grandparenthood vary as a function of race, gender, and personality (N = 526, M_age = 70.9; 59.1% females; 72.1% White). Measurement invariance tests supported the utility of the MEG scale across race and gender. Findings also confirmed the importance of capturing emotions and beliefs associated with grandparenthood as intersecting elements of a multidimensional construct. Females tended to score higher than males on behavioral aspects of grandparenthood, such as providing emotional and educational support. Black grandparents were more likely than White participants to view grandparenthood as symbolic of family continuity. All five major trait dimensions of personality were modestly associated with some perceptions of grandparenthood, with maturity-relevant traits being more associated with positive perceptions across MEG scales. Symptoms of personality disorder were also modestly associated with MEG scales. These results underscore grandparenthood is a multidimensional role viewed differently across individuals.