La rappresentazione del legame nonni-nipoti nel suo evolversi nel tempo

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of the relationship with grandparents experienced by young and adult grandchildren. The study is based on questionnaires administered to a sample of university students and their parents. The questionnaire consisted of 42 questions designed to illustrate the relationship with grandparents (time spent together, amount of pleasure, comparison of affection felt for the parents to the affection felt for the maternal and paternal grandfathers and grandmothers, etc.). Results confirm that the grandparent relationship is perceived very positively. Especially in younger grandchildren, grandparents represent important affective figures. No differences emerged between maternal and paternal grandparents, but there are significant differences between grandfathers and grandmothers, in favour of the latter, and between parents and grandparents, in favour of the parents. On the contrary, significant age and gender differencies emerge: young, more than adult, and female, more than male grandchildren, show a more positive and intense bond with their grandparents