The GrandparenT-GrandChild relaTionship in Childhood and adulThood: a MaTTer of ConTinuaTion?1

We examined whether grandparents perceive adult grandchildren as frequent and important contacts by analyzing network membership. We additionally examined whether this network membership is related to relationship intensity during childhood. network membership was assessed in 1992 (397 grandparents; 1,594 adult grandchildren) and at the 2005-2006 follow-up (155 grandparents; 429 adult grandchildren) from the longitudinal aging study amsterdam. relationship intensity during childhood was assessed in 1992. one out of four grandparents identified at least one adult grandchild in their personal network. adult grandchildren who had an intense relationship with their grandparents during childhood were more often in grandparents’ network than others. an intense relationship during childhood promotes continuation of the relationship into adulthood and might contribute to grandparent’s support potential. 1This chapter is co-authored by Theo van Tilburg (department of sociology, Vu university amsterdam) and annerigt poortman (department of sociology/ iCs, utrecht university), and is published in Personal Relationships in 2011. The study is based on data collected in the context of the “living arrangements and social networks of older adults” and “longitudinal aging study amsterdam” research programs. These programs are conducted at Vu university in amsterdam, and supported predominantly by the Ministry of health, Welfare, and sports, directorate