Marginalised Caregivers: A Qualitative Study of Grandmothers in Postpartum and Infant Care.
Xiao Xiao, Xuanli Zhang, Ziyang Xie and 2 others
PMID 42473082WHAT IT FOUND
Grandmothers caring for postpartum women and infants in China described feeling sidelined by younger parents' scientific knowledge, yet they remained highly motivated to learn.
They reported social isolation and physical strain, but trusted nurses and doctors as the best source of infant care guidance.
Key findings
01Most grandmothers viewed caregiving as a family obligation, while some expected reciprocal support in old age.
02Grandmothers often felt their traditional experience was outdated compared to parents' smartphone-based knowledge, leading to reduced authority.
03Despite trust in healthcare professionals, grandmothers found current parenting guidance inadequate due to rigid schedules and generic content.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted in a single tertiary hospital in an economically developed city (Shenzhen), limiting transferability to rural areas. Twelve of the 28 recruited grandmothers withdrew before interviews, introducing potential non-response bias. The findings may be influenced by social desirability bias, as grandmothers may have avoided discussing power struggles due to cultural norms. The study focused exclusively on grandmothers, excluding the experiences of grandfathers.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission and hospital nursing projects, which did not interfere with the design or analysis.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the themes of social isolation or physical strain as evidence that grandmothers are distressed by their role. The study found that most grandmothers voluntarily accepted these challenges due to family obligation, and many reported positive emotional rewards. It describes their experience, not a clinical syndrome requiring treatment.