Changes in Grandparent-Grandchild Relationships during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown: Associations with Mental Health in College Students

This study examines changes in college students‘ relationships with their grandparents during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, and whether these relationship changes were associated with college students‘ coping with the pandemic and mental health. 441 college students (76% female) completed an online survey. The majority of participants reported changes to the grandparent-grandchild relationship. Reduced contact and closeness was the most commonly reported change and was related to greater participant COVID-19 concerns and anticipatory grief for grandparents. A small number of participants reported increased closeness, which was related to their lower anxiety and depression. For younger students, grandparent contracting COVID-19 was associated with lower COVID-19 concerns and greater negative reactions to lockdown restrictions.