Stepfamily living and parent-child relationships: An exploratory investigation
Claire Cartwright
Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
PP: 267
Abstract
Results from research with stepfamilies indicate that some residential parent-child relationships deteriorate after parents remarry.
This paper reports on three interview studies, the dual aims of which were to develop greater insight into what occurs in parent-child relationships in stepfamily households and the impact of different parenting practices on these relationships.
Fifty-one participants took part in individual or group interviews. These participants included 9 therapists experienced in working with stepfamilies, 28 young adults who grew up in stepfamilies, and 14 stepfamily members. This third group consisted of 7 preadolescent children and their residential biological mothers.
The present results focus on a number of themes that emerged across the three studies, with particular reference to parenting practices that were experienced as either difficult or supportive. These concerned the importance of parental time and attention; information, communication, and consultation regarding family changes; the different meanings that remarriage has for parents and children; the stepparent role; and ongoing interparental conflict.
Keywords
stepfamilies, remarried families, parent-child relationships, family transitions
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