An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Young Adult Grandchild Caregivers of Grandparents with Dementia

dc.contributor.authorPatel, Khushbu Shaileshkumaren
dc.contributor.committeechairDolbin-MacNab, Megan Leighen
dc.contributor.committeememberTeaster, Pamela B.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSavla, Jyoti Shitalen
dc.contributor.committeememberSanner, Carolineen
dc.contributor.departmentAdult Learning and Human Resource Developmenten
dc.date.accessioned2025-06-03T08:01:08Zen
dc.date.available2025-06-03T08:01:08Zen
dc.date.issued2025-06-02en
dc.description.abstractIn 2023, an estimated 11.5 million individuals provided approximately 18.4 billion hours or unpaid care to family members with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. While the burdens of dementia caregiving have been well-documented, less is known about the experiences of young adults who serve as caregivers to their grandparents. These caregivers, aged 18 to 29 years, are in the developmental stage of emerging adulthood, a period characterized by identity exploration, pursuit of autonomy, and life transitions—factors often at odds with the demands of caregiving. This study examined the uncommon caregiving dynamic of grandchildren supporting grandparents, contrasting the more typical pattern of grandparent-to-grandchild care. This qualitative study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore how young adult grandchildren made sense of their caregiving roles and how their caregiving experiences intersected with the developmental tasks of emerging adulthood. Eight young adults, who were actively providing or had previously provided care for a grandparent with dementia, participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants described how they navigated identity tensions between their desire for autonomy and the dependency required by the caregiving role. They expressed a perceived loss of typical young adult experiences, often shaped by social isolation and the unique challenges of caregiving. Despite these difficulties, participants found opportunities for personal growth through meaning-making and by integrating caregiving into their future-oriented identities. These findings provide a nuanced understanding of the caregiving experience within this population, highlighting the complexity of assuming an off-time caregiving role during the sensitive developmental period of emerging adulthood. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralIn 2023, over 11 million people cared for loved ones with Alzheimer's or other dementias—often without pay. While caregiving is challenging for anyone, it can be especially difficult for young adult grandchildren between the ages of 18 and 29 years. This stage of life, known as emerging adulthood, is usually a time to explore one's identity, build relationships, and plan for the future. But those caring for a grandparent with dementia often face unique pressures. This study looked at the less common situation where grandchildren take care of their grandparents, instead of the more typical setup where grandparents are the ones caring for their grandkids. This study explored the experiences of young adult caregivers by interviewing eight people who had helped care for a grandparent with dementia. Participants talked about how they struggled to balance wanting independence with the responsibilities that came with caregiving. They felt like they were missing out on normal young adult experiences, especially because of how isolating and challenging caregiving could be. Still, many shared that they grew from the experience by finding meaning in it and seeing how it shaped who they're becoming. These findings help us better understand what it's like for this group to take on a caregiving role at a time in life when that's not usually expected — during the already challenging stage of emerging adulthood. This work offers ideas for future research and for how professionals can better support young adults in caregiving roles.en
dc.description.degreeDoctor of Philosophyen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:43867en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10919/134977en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectYoung Adultsen
dc.subjectCaregivingen
dc.subjectGrandchildrenen
dc.subjectDementiaen
dc.subjectPhenomenologyen
dc.titleAn Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Young Adult Grandchild Caregivers of Grandparents with Dementiaen
dc.typeDissertationen
thesis.degree.disciplineHuman Developmenten
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen

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