Comfort with Technology and Its Association with Depression of Custodial Grandparents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

Sarah Pace, University of South Carolina, ColumbiaFollow
Yanfeng Xu, University of South CarolinaFollow
Theresa Harrison, University of South CarolinaFollow

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, custodial grandparents faced heightened risks of depression due to increased social isolation and caregiving responsibilities. This study examines the association between comfort with technology and depression among custodial grandparents. Cross-sectional data were collected from 287 custodial grandparents across the United States between May 2021 and February 2022. Logistic regression analysis revealed that custodial grandparents’ higher comfort with technology was significantly associated with lower odds of depression (OR = 0.68, p < .001). Additionally, those who had reliable access to the internet had significantly lower odds of experiencing depression (OR = 0.78, p = .039). Furthermore, the need for telemental health services was associated with increased odds of depression (OR = 3.18, p = .003). These findings highlight the importance of enhancing custodial grandparents’ ease of use with technology to reduce depression. Implications for improving custodial grandparents’ ease of use with technology are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Pace, S., Xu, Y., Harrison, T. (2025). Comfort with Technology and Its Association with Depression of Custodial Grandparents During the COVID-19 Pandemic. GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy, 8 (1).
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/grandfamilies/vol8/iss1/11