Rearranging the Puzzle: Working Systemically with Stepfamilies when Parents Re‐partner

Wood, Sarah

doi:10.1002/anzf.1106

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 35 publications

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“…Unlike a nuclear family, which is built on hope and happily ever after , a stepfamily is built on grief (Wood, , p. 246). Not to say that hope isn't a variable but the common language of divorce as a failure is hard to escape, divorce is still seen as some sort of problem, and terms like failed relationship aren't helpful.…”

Section: Cultural Baggagementioning

confidence: 99%

Working with Stepfamilies

Miran-Khan

2017

ANZ J of Family Therapy

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Stepfamilies are complex family systems that warrant a specific model to guide therapy practice. Once a stepfamily has formed it's easy to overlook the lack of an attachment history that is commonly embedded in a biologically connected nuclear family. This can result in stepparents picking up parental responsibility for their stepchildren, which often may not go well. This paper highlights the need for clarity concerning the different levels of connection within a stepfamily, and the importance of avoiding ‘nuclear family‐style’ solutions and assumed attachments. This is especially important in the early stages of the relationship when everyone is adjusting to changing circumstances, which is often a time when issues of loyalty and betrayal fuel many of the actions taken. A range of family therapy techniques can be helpfully adapted to working with stepfamilies, especially as relationships with children often bring them to therapy. In particular, therapists can utilise ideas from structural family therapy to help guide the stepfamily to navigate the complexities of everyday life.

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Section: Cultural Baggagementioning

confidence: 99%

Working with Stepfamilies

Miran-Khan

2017

ANZ J of Family Therapy

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Like a Parent and a Friend, but Not the Father: A Qualitative Study of Stepfathers’ Experiences in the Stepfamily

Blyaert¹,

Parys

Mol

et al. 2016

ANZ J of Family Therapy

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Research about the experience and position of stepfathers in stepfamilies is scarce. Using data from semi‐structured interviews with eight stepfathers, we aim to explore how stepfathers experience family life and their relationships with their (step)children and extended family members (biological father and grandparents), as well as how they describe their position within the stepfamily. Interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed three main themes: most participants saw themselves ‘like a parent and a friend.’ While none of them considered themselves as ‘the father’ – this position being assigned to the biological father – they described acting like a parent or a father figure in their relationships with the children. Secondly, despite some difficulties in the initial stages of formation of their new families, most participants described a positive evolution over time and were satisfied with their current family situation. Thirdly, the stepfather's positioning towards non‐cohabiting family members such as the biological father and grandparents added complexity but was managed well. Research findings are discussed in light of the current family therapy literature on working with stepfamilies.

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