Promotion of Emotional Competencies in Auxiliary Grandparents Caregivers: A Pilot Prevention Programme

ABSTRACT

This study examined the efficacy of a 5‐week combined psychoeducation and support programme aimed at enhancing emotional competencies and psychological well‐being among Spanish auxiliary grandparent caregivers. Two delivery formats (face‐to‐face and synchronous online) were compared with a control group receiving no intervention, and differences between formats were analysed. Eighty‐seven participants caring for at least one grandchild (< 18 years) were assigned to a face‐to‐face programme ( n  = 29), an online synchronous programme ( n  = 28) or a control group ( n  = 30). Participants' mean age was 68.83; most were female (80.5%), married (62.8%), retired (82.6%) and occasional caregivers (88.7%), mostly providing care for grandchildren from their daughters' families (60%). Repeated‐measures ANOVAs and ANCOVAs controlling for baseline scores were conducted. Face‐to‐face participants improved significantly in stress management, whereas online participants showed gains in overall emotional competencies. These improvements were significantly greater than those observed in the control group after controlling for baseline scores. No significant changes were found in psychological well‐being subscales. This innovative intervention addresses a gap in programmes for auxiliary grandparent caregivers, the most common caregiving arrangement in Europe, by focusing on emotional skills to strengthen grandparents' caregiving resources. These findings have positive implications for grandparents, families and society.