Influence of perceived health, parental stress, and social support on quality of life in grandparent caregivers

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among perceived health, parental stress, social support, and quality of life of grandparent caregivers and to identify the factors influencing quality of their life. Methods: A descriptive correlational design was used. The data were collected by questionnaires from a convenience sample of 130 participants taking care of their grandchildren from ten children's daycare centers in Seoul, Korea from August to September, 2013. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation efficients, and multiple regressions. Results: Perceived health, parental stress and social support were correlated significantly with quality of life. As a result of the multiple regression analysis, education level, age of grandchildren, perceived health, parental stress and social support accounted for 48% of the variance in quality of life. Perceived health, parental stress, and social support were identified as factors influencing quality of life and the variable that most affected quality of life was perceived health. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that health of people taking care of their grandchildren must be promoted while relieving their parental stress with appropriate social support in order to improve quality of life.