The role of grandmothers in the family relationship system

a qualitative transcultural study, Portugal – Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38034/nps.v33i80.739

Keywords:

grandparents, family relationships, aging

Abstract

Relationships between grandparents and grandchildren are becoming increasingly important in psychological terms, as they priomote the protection of the mental health of both the elderly and the young. Intergenerational relationships between grandparents and grandchildren have placed grandmothers as sources of emotional support and care for their grandchildren, and as transmitters of family legacy and stories. This qualitative study aims to analyze grandmother’s perception of their role with their grandchildren, comparing Portuguese and Brazilian grandmothers. Twelve grandmothers participated in the study, six Brazilian and six Portuguese. A semi-structured interview was used, which was submitted to content analysis. The main results suggest that the experience of being a grandmother is similar in Portugal and Brazil, highlighting the presence of positive emotional feelings, and changes in the relationship with children, such as the concern about not interfering in the education of grandchildren.

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Author Biographies

Carolina Brito Schutel Lacerda, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.

Psicóloga. Especialista em Psicologia Clínica. Mestrado em Psicologia Clínica e da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal.

Liliana Sousa, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.

Psicóloga. Terapeuta Familiar. Professora Catedrática do Departamento de Educação e Psicologia na Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal. Investigadora integrada do CINTESIS@Rise, Center for Health Technology and Services Research, University of Aveiro, Portugal.

Rosa Marina Afonso, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.

Psicóloga. Professora Associada do Departamento de Psicologia e Educação da Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal. Investigadora integrada do CINTESIS@RISE.

Published

2025-06-11

How to Cite

Brito Schutel Lacerda, C., Sousa, L., & Marina Afonso, R. (2025). The role of grandmothers in the family relationship system: a qualitative transcultural study, Portugal – Brazil. Nova Perspectiva Sistêmica, 33(80), 58–71. https://doi.org/10.38034/nps.v33i80.739

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Artigos