Based on original contributions from leading scholars, this handbook offers critical reviews of variations in grandparenthood (historical, cultural, race, gender), contingencies (transitions, roles, influence, divorce surrogate parenting, adult grandchildren) and interventions (clinical, policies, programs). It also addresses research trends and needed conceptual and theoretical refinements.

The introduction describes trends in grandparenting research since the middle of this century, and offers a brief synopsis of the book's contents as well as specific suggestions for further...