Strengths of Remarried Families

Couple Strengths and Stressors in Complex and Simple Stepfamilies in Australia

“…The major similarity between the two groups is the scale that received the highest rating on Couple Agreement scores, namely, Sexual Relationship. This finding corresponds with the findings of Knaub, Hanna, and Stinnett (1984), who asked 80 remarried couples to identify the most important strength in their stepfamily. "Various components of love or intimacy (i.e., caring, affection, acceptance, understanding, closeness) constituted 69.3% of their replies" (p. 51).…”

“…"Various components of love or intimacy (i.e., caring, affection, acceptance, understanding, closeness) constituted 69.3% of their replies" (p. 51). While the Sexual Relationship scale of ENRICH-A deals specifically with affection, sexual intimacy, and birth control, it would appear that couples in the present study were describing an area of strength in their relationship that was integral to the most important strength area for the couples in the Knaub et al (1984) study. It is probable that persons entering a second marriage or de facto relationship are looking for need fulfillment in respect to closeness, intimacy, and the expression of affection (Schultz and Schultz, 1987).…”