The role of a grandparent is multifaceted and valuable, especially when families are facing a child care crisis or when someone needs to fill the "parent" role for unforeseen reasons.

Despite some of the immediate impact that grandparents have on grandkids, new data suggests the benefits flow both ways. A recent poll conducted by the University of Michigan and featured at Parents.com shows the importance of grandchildren in grandparents' lives, referencing a decrease in loneliness and an increase in mental health.

The data comes from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, based at the University of Michigan's Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. 

Steven Kniffley Jr., PsyD, senior associate dean for pathway innovation and inclusive excellence and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, said the transition to old age is filled with self-reflective questions about making a difference, contributing to the world's betterment and leaving a positive legacy for future generations. Within this context, it would make sense why grandparents are experiencing a mutual positive benefit from being part of their grandchildren's lives. 

"Each moment with their grandchildren is a purposeful reminder that the contributions of grandparents matter," said Kniffley. "Additionally, for grandparents, grandchildren are an explicit representation of the positive legacy they are hoping to leave behind."

Kniffley also noted how grandchildren allow grandparents to communicate and instill morals, values and expectations of achievement through storytelling and passing down family rituals that they believe will contribute to the world becoming a better place.

"Grandparents can see the world healing in real-time by spending time with (and caring for) their grandchildren," he said.

Click here to read the full Parents.com article.