According to a new study, grandparents who dedicate a day per week to tend to their grandchildren’s needs are healthier than those who don’t have the time or spend too much time around the little ones. A team of researchers from Australia conducted a study which focused on the effects of a healthy relationship between grandparent and grandchild. The results suggested that grandmothers who spend their time with their grandchildren are less susceptible to dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other forms of mental disorders.
However, the research also shows that spending too much time with their grandkids may have a negative influence on the grandmas. Hence, the recommended amount of time for grandmothers to spend with the little ones is one or two days per week.
The study focused on 186 women with ages between 57 and 68. However, only 120 had grandchildren. The researchers tested the cognitive ability of each participant. The results showed that while the women who had grandkids performed better, the grandmothers who either did not have grandchildren or time to spend with the little ones struggled with the tests. Hence, the scientists concluded that individuals who do not spend time with their grandchildren experience lower processing speed and working memory performance.
Furthermore, the new findings point to the benefits the grandchildren experience when they maintain a close relationship with their grandparents, as well. A study performed by British researchers suggests that kids who are closer to their grandparents are able to cope better with major challenges during their lifetimes and also have fewer emotional and behavioral issues. Approximately 1,500 individuals participated in the study.
Yet another study, performed by a team of researchers at Boston College found that both parties are less likely to experience depression when grandparents are closely connected to their grandchildren. During a press conference, a sociologist at the Institute on Aging at Boston College, Dr. Sara Moorman said that the exchange of constant emotional support between the parties promotes improved mental health.
“Grandparents and grandchildren can be real resources to each other”, said Dr. Sara Moorman.
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