The Benefits of Grandparental Involvement: Boosting Brainpower and Promoting Happiness

A study conducted by experts at Johanes Gutenberg University found that becoming a grandparent can boost brainpower, reduce the risk of depression in later life, and keep men and women more active. However, the positive effects on physical and mental health depend on the amount of work taken on. Women who looked after their grandchildren every day had worse wellbeing, possibly due to it becoming burdensome. Close contact with grandchildren, such as speaking to them regularly, improved memory and reduced depression symptoms in grandmothers. Grandparents who never babysat their grandchildren experienced a decline in wellbeing, while those who looked after them daily without their parents saw an average decline in wellbeing compared to before becoming a grandparent.