The Influence of COVID-19 Health and Behavioral Demands on Custodial Grandparents' Self-Care and Emotional Well-Being: A Multi-State Exploratory Analysis

COVID-19 caused disruptions to everyday living, requiring families to establish a "new normal" for routine activities. Studies suggest custodial grandparents were especially vulnerable during the pandemic, both physically and emotionally. Understanding how grandparents' perceived health risks and mandated behavioral demands (e.g., social isolation, social distancing, masking) affected their personal health and psychological well-being has received limited attention. Using the Double ABCX theoretical model, a convenience sample of custodial grandparents (N = 145) across multiple states was surveyed to learn which factors promoted greater health and well-being. Family support, resiliency, reduced parental distress and loneliness were tested as possible protective factors against adverse risks. Using structural equation modeling, grandparents' COVID-19 behavior demands influenced self-care activities and psychological well-being through selected mediating factors. However, grandparents' COVID-19 health impact perceptions were more robust in its association with self-care and psychological well-being. Potential clinical interventions that support custodial grandparents to build positive self-care habits and psychological well-being are discussed.