A model for predicting stress levels and marital satisfaction for stepmothers utilizing a stress and coping approach

Abstract

Drawing from a stress and coping framework and previous research regarding stepfamilies, the researchers develop and test a theoretical model predicting stepmother stress and marital satisfaction. Factors in the model include residency of the stepmother's stepchildren, whether the stepmother has biological children, social support resources, role clarity, and responsibility for household chores and stepchild care. The results indicate that the data fit the model well. By examining all of these variables in a model several advantages are achieved, including integrating and extending prior research findings on stepfamilies, comparing the relative strengths of these variables in their relationship with stress and satisfaction, and illustrating factors that can be targeted to encourage the viability of the various types of stepmother—father couples.

Hapless, helpless, hopeless: An analysis of stepmothers’ talk about their (male) partners

“…Participants reported varied marital status, residence of the children, ages of stepchildren, length of time as a stepmother and complexity of the stepfamily. These are the factors that have been identified by previous research as pertinent to the stepmothering experience (Brown & Manning, 2009;Doodson & Davies, 2014;Fine, 1995;Johnson et al, 2008).…”

Parenting Stress, Perceived Child Regard, and Depressive Symptoms Among Stepmothers and Biological Mothers

“…A study conducted in Spain found that strains placed on the stepparenting role were linked with poorer psychological functioning in both stepfathers and stepmothers, although stepmothers were at considerably higher risk for the psychological consequences of role strain (Fellmann, Galán, & Lloreda, 2008). In addition to these risks, stepmothers also report higher levels of stress than do stepfathers or biological mothers (Dainton, 1993; Quick, McKerny, & Newman, 1994), which may be related to the unique roles they adopt in their families (Johnson et al, 2008) and may in turn translate into personal and interpersonal problems.…”

Role strain and online social support for childless stepmothers

“…A broader understanding of the stepmother role Johnson et al (2008) found that role ambiguity influenced perceived stress among stepmothers, and consequently lowered marital satisfaction. Additionally, clearly defining the step-parent role remains elusive due to inconsistent perceptions of parents, stepchildren, and step-parents (Fine, et al, 1998).…”

“…It remains important to examine the possible origin of perceived stress that is impacting the childless stepmother (Johnson, Wright, Craig, Gilchrist, Lane, & Haigh, 2008). In the current study, this stress is explored in relation to role strain or specific conflicts and challenges which individuals encounter as they attempt to fulfill their social roles (Pearlin,1983).…”