Showing papers on "Stepfamily published in 2019"
TL;DR: It is argued that demographers should focus on individuals’ family relationships to gain insight into living arrangements and family dynamics and the development of family concepts and improvements in study design are outlined to identify principles that demographer should incorporate in new research to shed light on families’ support for their members.
Abstract: Increases in life expectancy, high rates of movement into and out of couple relationships, and increasing exposure to stepfamilies raise new questions about who is in a family, the distinction between who lives together and who is a family member, and the extent to which family members are expected to meet the long-term obligations that define kinship. These questions are important because families have traditionally served as a vital private safety net for family members. Demographic changes increase family members' uncertainty about their relationships. Family ties are less stable and more uncertain among the economically disadvantaged, and uncertainty may exacerbate these disadvantages by weakening individuals' ability to rely on family members' support to alleviate hardship. I argue that demographers should focus on individuals' family relationships to gain insight into living arrangements and family dynamics. I also outline the development of family concepts and improvements in study design to identify principles that demographers should incorporate in new research to shed light on families' support for their members.
71 citations
TL;DR: The authors studied the effect of family complexity on relationships when children are adults and parents are age-interdependent, and found that more children grow up in complex families than in simple families.
Abstract: As a result of the divorce revolution, more children grow up in complex families. Yet, we know little about how family complexity affects relationships when children are adults and parents are agei...
38 citations
TL;DR: Differences are evident across patterns with respect to family relationship quality, youth well-being, and socio-demographic characteristics, and one size does not necessarily fit all stepfamilies.
Abstract: Stepfamilies are an increasingly common family form, many of which are headed by a resident mother and stepfather. Stepfather-child relationships exert notable influence on stepfamily stability and individual well-being. Although various stepfather roles have been observed, more research is warranted by which stepfather-child interactions are explored holistically and across a variety of life domains (e.g., recreational, personal, academic, and disciplinary). Thus, the primary purpose of the current study is to explore varying interactional patterns between youth and their stepfathers. A latent class analysis is conducted using a representative sample of 1,183 youth (53% female; mean age = 15.64 years, SD = 1.70 years; 62% non-Hispanic White) residing in mother-stepfather families from Wave I of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Latent-class enumeration processes support a four-class solution, with latent classes representing inactive, academically oriented, casually connected, and versatile and involved patterns of youth-stepparent interaction. Notable differences and similarities are evident across patterns with respect to family relationship quality, youth well-being, and socio-demographic characteristics. Differences are most stark between the inactive and versatile and involved patterns. Ultimately, the results showcase notable variation in youth-stepparent interactional patterns, and one size does not necessarily fit all stepfamilies. Family practitioners should be mindful of variation in youth-stepparent interactional patterns and assist stepfamilies in seeking out stepparent-child dynamics that are most compatible with the needs and dynamics of the larger family system.
24 citations
TL;DR: New data on family structure and transfers in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) is used to describe the prevalence and numbers of stepparents and stepchildren for adults of all ages and to characterize the relationship between having stepkin and transfers of time and money between generations, regardless of whether the kin live together.
Abstract: Unstable couple relationships and high rates of repartnering have increased the share of U.S. families with stepkin. Yet data on stepfamily structure are from earlier periods, include only coresident stepkin, or cover only older adults. In this study, we use new data on family structure and transfers in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) to describe the prevalence and numbers of stepparents and stepchildren for adults of all ages and to characterize the relationship between having stepkin and transfers of time and money between generations, regardless of whether the kin live together. We find that having stepparents and stepchildren is very common among U.S. households, especially younger households. Furthermore, stepkin substantially increase the typical household’s family size; stepparents and stepchildren increase a household’s number of parents and adult children by nearly 40 % for married/cohabiting couples with living parents and children. However, having stepkin is associated with fewer transfers, particularly time transfers between married women and their stepparents and stepchildren. The increase in the number of family members due to stepkin is insufficient to compensate for the lower likelihood of transfers in stepfamilies. Our findings suggest that recent cohorts with more stepkin may give less time assistance to adult children and receive less time assistance from children in old age than prior generations.
24 citations
TL;DR: The findings provide evidence for encouraging stepparents to focus on building affinity with stepchildren, including perceptions of both members of the stepcouple about affinity seeking, stepfather-stepchild conflicts, couple relationship quality, and stepfamily cohesion.
Abstract: Because of the potential stepparent-stepchild relationships have for tension and conflict, clinicians have identified the development of a positive stepparent-stepchild connection as one of the major tasks of stepfamily life. Stepparents often are advised to focus initially on developing friendships with stepchildren, or seeking affinity with them, particularly early in the life of the relationship. Both family systems theory and evolutionary theory suggest that stepparents' affinity-seeking behaviors are related to the quality and functioning of other stepfamily dyads, such as couple relationships, and the whole stepfamily. We extend prior work on stepparents' affinity seeking by including perceptions of both members of the stepcouple about affinity seeking, stepfather-stepchild conflicts, couple relationship quality, and stepfamily cohesion. Stepfathers and mothers from 234 stepcouples independently completed online surveys. After accounting for covariates (i.e., duration of mothers' previous relationships, duration of the stepcouple relationship, focal child's biological sex and age, number of children in the household, and mothers' report of household income), stepfathers' perceptions of affinity-seeking with the focal child significantly predicted both partners' perceptions of stepfather-stepchild conflict, marital quality, marital confidence, and stepfamily cohesion. Mothers' perceptions of stepfathers' affinity-seeking were significantly related to her marital confidence and perceptions of stepfamily cohesion. Stepfathers' perceptions of their affinity-seeking explained more variance in stepfathers' and mothers' outcomes than did mothers' perceptions. The results suggest benefits associated with stepfather affinity-seeking-less conflict with stepchildren, better couple relationships, and closer stepfamily ties. Our findings provide evidence for encouraging stepparents to focus on building affinity with stepchildren. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
21 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that creating a stepfamily through one’s own children may not present additional parenting challenges or stressors, whereas having stepchildren introduced through a partner may be linked to a different, and less positive, parenting experience.
Abstract: Mothers with children from prior relationships or with stepchildren may perceive greater challenges in parenting than their counterparts in less complex families. We use the Families and Relationsh...
13 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the well-being of children from different family settings (intact, single parent, stepfamilies, multigenerational) and found that children from intact families showed significant positive differences on the wellbeing from children of other settings (the lowest means were from the children of step-families).
Abstract: Subjective well-being concerns an evaluation of one’s life, considering cognitive and affective aspects. Contextual factors, such as family, may influence this process. One of the main development contexts of children is family and aspects of these relationships, such as different settings, might contribute to children’s subjective well-being. The aim of this study was to compare the well-being of children from different family settings (intact, single-parent, stepfamilies, multigenerational). Participants were 2,135 boys and girls, from 9 to 13 years old (M = 10.97, SD = 0.99), students of public and private schools from a Brazilian southern State. Children answered a questionnaire with sociodemographic variables and three well-being scales (PWI-SC, BMSLSS, GDSI). Children were divided in four groups according to whom they live with (intact, single-parent, stepfamilies, multigenerational families). To evaluate differences between groups a Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) were performed, considering well-being scales as dependent variables and family setting as independent variable. Results indicated significant differences in the well-being of children in relation to their family setting and age. Children from intact families showed significant positive differences on the well-being from children of other settings (the lowest means were from the children of stepfamilies). It is argued that transitions and instability that children are being subjected to may affect their well-being.
12 citations
TL;DR: It is seen that having a common child in stepfamilies and partners’ relationship satisfaction is linked to higher satisfaction over time, and for those whose common child is between 1 and 3 years old, they saw temporarily lower relationship satisfaction.
Abstract: This article studies the relationship between having a common child in stepfamilies and partners' relationship satisfaction. Previous works have primarily looked at children's adjustment in stepfamilies and have cautioned against seeing a common offspring as a way to "cement" the partnership because the addition of a shared child does not benefit the child from an earlier union. We used seven waves of the German "Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics" to examine the relationship satisfaction of partners in a stepfamily and its association with the potential birth of a common child. After controlling for initial relationship satisfaction, we see that having a common child is linked to higher satisfaction over time. Interestingly, for those whose common child is between 1 and 3 years old, we saw temporarily lower relationship satisfaction, which was less pronounced for the partner who was a stepparent in the context of the union.
11 citations
01 Jan 2019
TL;DR: In this paper, a typology of private, gendered emotion work stepmothers are encouraged to do, including self-work, re-marriage, and stepfamily work, is presented.
Abstract: Stepmothers face complex emotional challenges navigating the institutions of motherhood, gender, and stepfamily life and may draw on a variety of resources, including religion, to support them in their role. However, little research examines the intersection of religion and stepfamily life. To address this gap, this article draws on data collected from participant observation at Christian ministry seminars for stepmothers and thematic content analysis of related ministry resources. I argue that the ministries construct a foundation for stepmother attendees to build a unique therapeutic community and, simultaneously, the seminar leaders construct and share a therapeutic tool-kit, comprised of both secular and religious resources, for stepmothers to use as they navigate the ambiguous work of stepmothering. Embedded in this tool-kit is a typology of private, gendered emotion work stepmothers are encouraged to do – self-work, (re)marriage work, and (step)family work. Previous research shows that gendered emotion work plays a key role in the reproduction of gender inequalities in society; how this applies to stepmothers has not been explored in the literature. The seminars, then, serve as a useful case study for illuminating how emotion work is encouraged of women in various social institutions and is suggestive of how gender discrepancies in emotion work performance extends into the realm of (step)family life. INTRODUCTION While family scholars have long noted significant trends in (re)marriage and divorce (Cherlin 1978, 2009; Coontz 2005), we know less about the role religion plays in lived experiences of remarriage and stepfamily formation, and furthermore how these processes may be gendered. All stepfamily members are subject to the ambiguities of ‘incompletely institutionalized’ kinship terms, social roles, traditions, and patterns (Cherlin 1978). However,
10 citations
10 citations
TL;DR: The authors identified three types of post-divorce coparenting relationships (co-parenting, co-dependency, and co-dispute) among 392 divorced mothers and fathers, living in the United States, with a child between 10 and 18 years old.
Abstract: Using data from 392 divorced mothers and fathers, living in the United States, with a child between 10 and 18 years old, we first identified three types of postdivorce coparenting relationships (co...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined family processes that promote family resilience, such as dyadic relationships marked by the presence of stepfamilies, and found that they are an increasingly common context in which adults and children reside.
Abstract: Stepfamilies are an increasingly common context in which adults and children reside. Past research has examined family processes that promote family resilience, such as dyadic relationships marked ...
TL;DR: The links between coparenting in the mother-stepfather dyad and child behavior in stepfamilies compared with the links between mother-fathercoparenting and childbehavior in first-marriage families are explored.
Abstract: Coparenting between biological parents is a strong predictor of child adjustment. To date, however, little is known about the coparenting dynamics between parent and stepparent in stepfamilies. This study aimed at exploring the links between coparenting in the mother-stepfather dyad and child behavior in stepfamilies compared with the links between mother-father coparenting and child behavior in first-marriage families. Two modes of coparenting were assessed: overt coparenting, that is, coparental behaviors in the presence of the child, and covert coparenting, that is, the way each parent speaks of the other parent to the child. The sample (N = 80) comprised 48 stepfamilies and 32 first-marriage families with a child between 7 and 13 years old. Overt coparenting was assessed through direct observation in the standardized situation of the PicNic Game. Covert coparenting and child behavior were assessed through mother-reported questionnaires. Results showed (a) more covert coparenting behaviors in first-marriage families, (b) no differences in overt coparenting, (c) more child difficulties reported in stepfamilies, (d) less optimal overt coparenting being linked with more difficulties in children in both family structures, and (e) an interaction effect between family structure and coparenting, showing that overt coparenting is linked with child behavior mainly in stepfamilies.
TL;DR: Results suggest that multiple parent–child relationships and stepcouple relationship stability are generally positively linked for both stepmother and stepfather households, although some differences emerged.
Abstract: Stepfamily relationships remain important over the life course to both children and parents. Unfortunately, limitations in availability of longitudinal data that include useful measures of stepfamily relations remain, thereby scholars must rely mostly on cross-sectional examinations. As a way to more rigorously test some of the mixed cross-sectional findings related to the links among stepcouple stability and parent-adult child relationships (closeness, involvement) for three parent-child subsystems (mother-child, father-child, stepparent-child), we used an alternative modeling strategy to test three plausible models. Multiple group analyses also were used to compare associations for stepmother and stepfather families. Stepfamilies (N = 330) from the National Survey of Families and Households with data from both adult children and primary respondents (resident parent or stepparent) were included. All three models fit the data. The best-fitting model suggests the most probable order of association is that parental involvement is associated with parent-child closeness which, in turn, is associated with stepcouple stability. Results also suggest that multiple parent-child relationships and stepcouple relationship stability are generally positively linked for both stepmother and stepfather households, although some differences emerged. Taken together, findings underscore the influence of cross-household stepfamily relationships even when children are adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
TL;DR: Stepfamilies are one of the fastest growing family structures among all racial groups in the United States as mentioned in this paper and stepfamily research among many racial groups, specifically American Indians, is virtually...
Abstract: Stepfamilies are one of the fastest growing family structures among all racial groups in the United States. Stepfamily research among many racial groups, specifically American Indians, is virtually...
TL;DR: Although the stepfamily literature is well developed, most examines heterosexual stepfamilies and fails to note the presence of those headed by same-gender couples as discussed by the authors. This especially is true of male stepfamily families.
Abstract: Although the stepfamily literature is well developed, most examines heterosexual stepfamilies and fails to note the presence of those headed by same-gender couples. This especially is true of male ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on stepmothers' coparenting experiences with mothers in joint-custody families, and find that step mothers in these families undergo a 5-phase process of adapting to an unexpectedly complex stepfamily system.
Abstract: This qualitative study is the first to focus exclusively on stepmothers’ coparenting experiences with mothers in joint custody families. Central findings include the stepmothers’ (a) struggles with the mother–father–stepmother relationship triangle, (b) stepmothers’ internal struggles with their role, (c) the perception of the mother as powerful, and (d) the view of themselves as powerless. Results also suggest that stepmothers in joint custody families undergo a 5-phase process of adapting to an unexpectedly complex stepfamily system. Based on these findings, the author suggests that future stepfamily research continue to examine joint custody families, especially the experiences and perceptions of mothers and stepmothers.
TL;DR: In this paper, the complexity of fairness in the inheritance process within the context of divorce, remarriage, and stepchildren was examined, and decision rules for determining fair outcomes were identified.
Abstract: This article examines the complexity of fairness in the inheritance process within the context of divorce, remarriage, and stepchildren. Interpersonal social justice theory and qualitative vignette methods were used to explore family members' perceptions of fair inheritance outcomes and processes for financial assets and personal possessions. Findings identify decision rules for determining fair outcomes, including treating biological and stepchildren equally and differently. Who participates, what structures are relied upon, the role of information, and ethical interpersonal treatment were identified as key factors when determining fair processes. Understanding fairness provides a sound basis for helping stepfamily members navigate unavoidable inheritance decisions.
01 Jan 2019
01 Feb 2019
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore how the interpersonal processes of divorce and remarriage affect parenting and stepparenting and how these roles have been examined by social and behavioral scientists.
Abstract: In this chapter, we explore how the interpersonal processes of divorce and remarriage affect parenting and stepparenting and how these roles have been examined by social and behavioral scientists. We first discuss historical considerations that have shaped the cultural context of divorced parenting and remarried and stepparenting over time. Next, we outline central issues faced by divorced and remarried parents and stepparents, followed by a discussion of the theoretical frameworks that have been used to investigate these challenges, including stress-related theories, coparenting theories, and selection models. Subsequently, in a summary of classical and modern research in divorced and remarried parenting, we identify four general eras in the development of scholarly research on postdivorce families and stepfamilies: (1) the social problem/social address phase, (2) the growing recognition phase, (3) a decade of progress, and (4) the New Millennium. We then highlight efforts at state and local levels to implement intervention programs for divorced and remarried parents, drawing particularly attention to divorce mediation efforts and stepfamily education programs. Finally, we propose key areas for future direction in the study of divorced and remarried parenting, including qualitative approaches and theory development, research on process and structure, and greater attention to underexamined parents. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of the key issues surrounding divorced and remarried parenting, it is necessary to first turn our attention toward understanding how the context of divorced and parenting has changed over time.
TL;DR: Shared religious attendance was positively associated with several aspects of stepfamily functioning above and beyond the positive association of family members' engagement in other types of shared activities.
Abstract: This study used data from Add Health to examine the relationship between shared participation in religious activities and positive stepfamily functioning as indicated by the closeness of the stepfather-stepchild bond, the closeness of the mother-child bond, the quality of the mother-stepfather relationship, the adolescent's perception of family belonging, and the stability of the mother-stepfather marriage. The study incorporated information on shared religious participation between adolescents and their mothers and stepfathers by examining whether adolescents reported frequently attending religious services or church-related events with both parents, with one parent, or with neither parent. Shared religious attendance was positively associated with several aspects of stepfamily functioning above and beyond the positive association of family members' engagement in other types of shared activities.
TL;DR: In this paper, a symbolic interactionist approach was used to identify the different ways of constructing stepfathering in stepfamily households, based on 30 in-depth interviews with co-resident Portuguese stepfathers.
Abstract: Based on a symbolic interactionist approach, which focuses on family roles negotiation, this article aims to identify the different ways of constructing stepfathering in stepfamily households. Drawing on 30 in-depth interviews with co-resident Portuguese stepfathers, a diversity of
patterns was clearly identified. Some roles, patterns or relationships are more involved, individualised and negotiated, whereas others are more distant, mediated and statutory. The article concludes that the way in which stepfathers build their role in a stepfamily relies mostly on the space
granted by the mother as well as the stepfather’s willingness to engage in stepfamily life, taking on (or not taking on) tasks and parental responsibilities generally assigned to biological parents. In this sense, the stepfather is a secondary everyday-life parent, who is present and
contributes, alongside the mother, to the education and training of the stepchild.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted a qualitative case study with two recoupled parents to gain insights from their own personal and stepfamily experiences to understand the challenges and issues of raising their step/biological children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) together in a stepfamily environment.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to address the lack of research into the challenges and issues recoupled parents face when raising their step/biological children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) together in a stepfamily environment. Data shows clinicians, community support services, and policy makers are recognising that stepfamilies are the fastest growing family form to date and hypothesising stepfamilies will become the norm as the most prominent family form in most western countries. Ongoing research recognises the importance of understanding parents’ experiences and perspectives of having a child with ASD, and resourcing and managing their child’s everyday needs, behaviour and necessary treatments. Research exploring the parents’ journey of supporting a child with ASD will benefit families and other relevant formal and informal supports involved with that child. Stepfamilies are distinctly different to the nuclear family in design, origin and function. The researcher, through a small-scale qualitative case study, interviewed two recoupled parents to gain insights from their own personal and stepfamily experiences. This study has substantiated the existing research and highlighted other specific challenges and issues recoupled parents of children with ASD face. The researcher uses the term step/biological children throughout this article in recognition that the child/children is/are connected to one parent as a blood child and the stepparent through the biological parents’ choice in re-partnering. The outcome of this research indicates the need for recoupled parents to have a forum to express their subjective experiences in raising children with ASD. The interviewees articulated the need for further understanding from professional and informal supports when working with children and parents in a stepfamily form.
TL;DR: With the growth in the numbers of stepfamilies, plus the scholarly and clinical attention paid to their sustainability and success, their dissolution rate still exceeds that of nuclear families as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: With the growth in the numbers of stepfamilies, plus the scholarly and clinical attention paid to their sustainability and success, their dissolution rate still exceeds that of nuclear families. Th...
DOI•
01 Jan 2019
TL;DR: Bean et al. as mentioned in this paper explored the roles of relationship maintenance behaviors (positivity, negativity, and sexual interest) in marital stability using a multi-member multi-group actor-partner interdependence model.
Abstract: Relationship Maintenance Behaviors and Marital Stability in Remarriage: The Examination of Stepfamily Constellations and Associated Challenges by Ron C. Bean, Ph.D. Utah State University, 2019 Major Professor: Renee V. Galliher, Ph.D. Department: Psychology Understanding contemporary stepfamily life requires investigation of new and diverse variables. This collection of two studies, using dyadic relationship data from 879 newlywed couples, described patterns of stepfamily constellations (based on whether partners had children from previous relationships) and how these constellations relate to relationship maintenance behaviors, and difficulties associated with stepfamily life,. The roles of relationship maintenance behaviors (positivity, negativity, and sexual interest) in marital stability were explored first using a multi-member multi-group actorpartner interdependence model. Wives reported higher marital instability and positivity. Marital instability was positively correlated with spouses own and partners’ negativity ratings for both husbands and wives. It was inversely correlated with their own and partners’ ratings of positivity and sexual interest. Restated, the marital instability of the partners with children was positively associated with their spouses’ negativity. The second study investigated stepfamily life difficulties (e.g., Social and family dimension, Role of the spouse, Role of the parent, Role of the stepparent), as they relate
TL;DR: The analysis examines how variations in parental influence shape private school enrollment among children in blended families and underscores the significance of two dimensions of biological relatedness for developing nuanced understandings of inequalities among children.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined retrospective data from 203 American Indians raised in stepfamilies on whether perceived coparenting between biological parents (post-stepfamily formation) was related to depression in emerging adulthood.
Abstract:
A number of protective factors associated with being American Indian exist; however, research shows that American Indians tend to experience higher rates of depressive symptoms than individuals of other racial or ethnic groups. Although prior research has examined sociocultural predictors of American Indian depression, less is known about the influence of familial functioning. This is particularly true for American Indian emerging adults who grew up in stepfamilies. This study examined retrospective data from 203 American Indians raised in stepfamilies on whether perceived coparenting between biological parents (post-stepfamily formation) was related to depression in emerging adulthood. Combining graded response and structural equation modeling, authors found that retrospectively perceived negative coparenting behaviors were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Findings elucidate a particular risk for American Indians who perceive that their biological parents engage in poor coparenting behaviors post–stepfamily formation. Findings also encourage further research that examines associations between stepfamily functioning and mental health outcomes among American Indians.