LIVED EXPERIENCES OF ADOLESCENTS LIVING WITH THEIR GRANDPARENTS

In today's dynamic societal landscape, family structures and roles have evolved significantly, giving rise to diverse caregiving arrangements. One such arrangement that has gamered attention is the phenomenon of adolescents being raised by their grandparents. This unique family dynamic arises from various factors, including parental challenges such as divorce, single-parent households, or economic instability. As a results, grandparents often step in t provide stability, support, and care for their grandchildren during times of adversity. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of adolescents who are living with grandparents, aiming to lighten the essence of their reality. Employing the phenomenological method and purposive sampling enables the selection of co-researchers from junior high school students in the College of Sciences Technology and Communications, Inc., Sariaya, Quezon. The co-researchers comprised six (6) adolescents who are living with grandparents and show problematic patterns at school. The study used the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) by Husseri and peer-debriefing to ensure the credibility of the results Moreover, the data were gathered through semi-structured interviews using interview guides and question prompts. Results discovered that the experiences of adolescents living with their grandparents create a balance of nurturing support and unique challenges. However, challenges such as pressure to meet expectation, generational gaps, restricted independence, and the absence of parents led to struggles with self-doubt, stress, and limited self-efficacy. These findings highlight the critical role grandparents play in shaping adolescents' character while emphasizing the emotional difficulties of this family dynamic. Moreover, the researcher developed a psychoeducational program aimed at addressing these challenges by enhancing self-awareness communication, managing expectation, and supporting the emotional needs of adolescents in grandparent-led households, ultimately promoting their personal growth and well-being.