Citation

Byers LG, Bragg JE, Muñoz RT. J. Ethn. Cult. Divers. Soc. Work 2017; 26(3): 204-216.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15313204.2017.1315626

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Since the United States Census Bureau began collecting data regarding grandparents raising their grandchildren, the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population has had the highest proportion of families led by grandparents as the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. Despite this, research into AI/AN grand-families is limited. To begin to fill this gap, this qualitative study of 49 AI/AN grandparents raising grand-families (GFs) was conducted in an urban area with one of the highest AI/AN populations in the United States.

RESULTS indicated that loss and trauma within the middle generation is a central theme for GF formation. Such GFs also reported using a variety of services spanning state, tribal, and urban AI/AN programs, with educational support as a primary need articulated for their grandchildren. Surprisingly, enculturation was not mentioned as a primary driver of GF formulation. The study suggests a need for further exploration of the needs of urban-based AI/AN GFs, and that service providers must be aware of such issues when working with AI/AN GFs.

Language: en

Keywords

trauma; American Indian; Native American; grandparents; multigenerational families; tribal services