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In custodial grandfamilies, grandchildren often provide critical support and assistance to their grandparents. Less is known about the extent to which grandchildren may serve as caregivers to their custodial grandparents and how providing care may impact their well-being. Informed by the stress process model, the purpose of this study was to examine the nature of adolescent grandchildren's caregiving to their custodial grandmothers and the relationship of providing this care to grandchildren's perceived caregiving interference and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. A survey was administered to 81 adolescents, aged 12 to 18, and their custodial grandmothers. Results suggest that grandchildren provide assistance with both instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs; e.g., housework, cooking) and activities of daily living (ADLs; walking, dressing). Results of a path analysis revealed that grandchildren's assistance with ADLs was associated with greater perceptions of caregiving interference in social and academic arenas, which was associated with increased externalizing behavior problems. Implications for practice, which underscore the necessity of interventions to support grandchild caregivers, and directions for future research, are addressed. Highlights: Grandchildren assisting grandmothers with instrumental activities of daily living, including household chores, was common. Grandchildren assist custodial grandmothers with activities of daily living (e.g., transferring, using stairs, and walking). When grandchildren assist with more activities of daily living, they report greater perceptions of caregiving interference. Grandchildren with greater perceived caregiving interference experienced more externalizing behavior problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the developmental theories of life course and emerging adulthood, the current study examines a central question about the diversity of trajectories among young adults who drop out of college. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) provides prospective data on a nationally representative sample of US young adults. Our subsamples include young adults who dropped out of college (N = 1,530) and those who obtained a bachelor’s degree (N = 1,977). We examined five dimensions of well-being: socio-economic success indicators, happiness/satisfaction, mastery, stress, and depression. Using latent class analysis, five classes of young adults who dropped out emerged that reflected variability in the patterns of well-being. Differences in socio-economic and mental health dimensions are elaborated in the study. The findings from this study provide valuable basis for challenging stereotypes about the college student dropout population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on interpersonal neurobiology, an interdisciplinary theory being used by couple and family therapists. Topics discussed include National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), attachment theory and the connections between experiences in relationships and brain development. Also mentioned are exploring couple relationship quality, self-acceptance and neuroticism, a personality trait characterized by emotional reactivity.