Remote Family Generations Research Study
Researchers at the University of Connecticut are studying three-generation family relationships and child wellbeing.
Fast Facts
Parent or Grandparent
Child Regularly Spends Time with Grandparent
Compensation Provided
Conducted Online
Study Background
UConn is conducting the MICROS (Mindfulness and Intergenerational Coparenting Relationship Online Study).
Three-generation families are characterized by the active involvement of grandparent(s) and parent(s) in raising and caring for children together. Such family structure is becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States, particularly among African American, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino families. While many children in such families are thriving or resilient in the face of adversity, some children show adjustment problems. There is a lack of understanding of what psychological and familial factors predict children’s healthy development in these families.
The MICROS study is aimed at examining how psychological (e.g., mindfulness) and familial characteristics (e.g., socioeconomic status) can predict the quality of parent(s) parenting and grandparent(s) grandparenting. The study focuses on intergenerational relationships, and whether these family processes can predict children internalizing and externalizing problems in three-generation families.
Participants will complete a survey that contains demographic measures and psychological assessments. There is an additional computerized task to measure reaction time.
Study Background
UConn is conducting the MICROS (Mindfulness and Intergenerational Coparenting Relationship Online Study).
Three-generation families are characterized by the active involvement of grandparent(s) and parent(s) in raising and caring for children together. Such family structure is becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States, particularly among African American, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino families. While many children in such families are thriving or resilient in the face of adversity, some children show adjustment problems. There is a lack of understanding of what psychological and familial factors predict children’s healthy development in these families.
The MICROS study is aimed at examining how psychological (e.g., mindfulness) and familial characteristics (e.g., socioeconomic status) can predict the quality of parent(s) parenting and grandparent(s) grandparenting. The study focuses on intergenerational relationships, and whether these family processes can predict children internalizing and externalizing problems in three-generation families.
Participants will complete a survey that contains demographic measures and psychological assessments. There is an additional computerized task to measure reaction time.
Additional Information
The purpose of this study is to examine how intergenerational relationships affect the wellbeing of children.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Parent Inclusion Criteria:
- 18+ years old
- Have a child between 18 months to 18 years old
- Child regularly spends time with grandparent
- Are the legal guardian and primary caregiver of your child
- Can read, speak, and write in English
- Live in the United States
- Have regular contact with your biological parent(s) (can live together or not live together)
Grandparent Inclusion Criteria:
- Grandparent
- Child regularly spends time with grandparent
- Currently have regular contact with biological adult child (the parent of
- their grandchild)
- Can read, speak, and write in English
- Live in the United States
- Biological grandchild is between 18 months – 18 years old
Once enrolled, this study involves:
- Completing surveys that contain the demographic measures and psychological assessments (approximately 1-1.5 hours)
- If you cannot do the survey online, you will be offered a phone call or video call opportunity and a research assistant will ask you the survey questions
- Completing a remote online E-Prime test to measure reaction time (approximately 30 minutes)
- Parents will be paid $50 upon completion of the survey
- Parent participants will be paid an additional $20 upon completion of the E-Prime test
- Grandparents will be paid $50 upon completion of the survey
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
