The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes to the health, safety, and well-being of many individuals and families. Involuntary job loss during the pandemic adds more challenges, especially for custodial grandparents who are taking care of grandchildren. Custodial grandparents are often older and suffering from physical and mental health problems. They usually experience different stress and challenges, such as economic insecurity, inadequate housing, lack of social support, declining physical health, and the increased parenting stress. In the context of COVID-19, grandparents may be particularly vulnerable to losing their jobs. Based on the family stress theory, given that job loss during the pandemic is a significant stressor for grandparents, how they cope with the stressor depends on their personal characteristics and their social, emotional and financial support.

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