To view GSNI publications, please click here -- Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory Publications

Description
Parents and children are not the only ones whose efforts are required in the quest to strengthen families. Grandparents are an important family resource who, today, are often overlooked. This instrument is an assessment tool that will help grandparents learn about themselves so that they can provide positive support to their families. The GSNI examines the relationships between grandparents and the parents and children (ages 6 to 18 years).
The GSNI consists of three 60-item surveys: grandparent, parent and grandchild (three generational). Grandparents that complete the survey report about their self impression. In the other two versions, children and parents make known their perceptions of a particular grandparent. The three generational survey provides a broader perspective of family interaction which offers a more complete picture of grandparent. The GSNI measures:
(1) Satisfaction--How often the grandparent is pleased with aspects of the grandparent role; (2) Success--How often the grandparent is successful at performing their role; (3) Teaching--How often the grandparent provides the kinds of lessons which are expected; (4) Difficulty--How often the grandparent has difficulty with the obligations of grandparenting; (5) Frustration--How often the grandparent feels frustrated about the behaviors of grandchildren; and (6) Information Needs-- How often the grandparent needs more information about what to expect of a grandchild at a particular age, helping the grandchild succeed and deal with gangs and bullies at school, preventing the use of drugs and alcohol, and other adolescent concerns.

Profile Feedback to Grandparents
Most Grandparents want feedback about their level of competence. This goal is attained by first administering a Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory and then preparing an individual Profile. Grandparents examine the Profile to find their ratings based on their inventory responses. Intervention programs can include feedback in the beginning of the instruction and when completed (pre and post). Comparisons can be made between individuals and norms of their subpopulation.

Language Translations: Available in English and Spanish from the publisher. Translated versions available from author in Hebrew, Japanese and Mandarin. For a list of publications about international research studies, see Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory Publications.

Ages: For use by (1) individual and groups of Children ages 6 to 18 years old, (2) individual and groups of Parents, (3) individual and groups of Grandparents, and/or (4) by two or three of these generations.

Populations: English version studies for populations include African-American, Caucasian, Mexican-American; Puerto Rican American; low, middle and upper socioeconomic backgrounds; immigrant families to Canada from Central and South America; grandparent volunteers in schools, grandparent support groups, and families of atypical children who are deaf, mentally retarded, gifted and talented (see Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory Publications.

Countries: Canada, Central and South America, Japan, Sweden, Taiwan, United States, Vietnam

Reliability and Validity
Psychometric indicators are described in the Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory Manual available from the publisher.

Sample Items:
"I try to teach my grandchild to care about other people's feelings."
"I am good at having an influence on my grandchild."
"I like how well my grandchild does at school."

Publication date
1st edition 1993

Authors
Dr. Robert Strom and Shirley Strom [ bob.strom@asu.edu ]

Publisher
Scholastic Testing Service
480 Meyer Road
Bensenville, Illinois 60106-1617
Phone: 1-800-642-6787
website: http://www.ststesting.com

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Thank you for visiting our site! We hope you found the information helpful in understanding our efforts to improve family relationships. This site is updated periodically so please see us again. If you know of other studies or sites related to our instruments which should be included, please contact bob.strom@asu.edu