The Processes Distinguishing Stable From Unstable Stepfamily Couples: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Second marriages are known to be more fragile than first marriages. To better understand the factors that contribute to this fragility, this qualitative study compared stepfamilies that stayed together with those that separated by collecting interview data from one adult in each of the former (n = 31) and latter (n = 26) stepfamilies. Data were analyzed using a general inductive approach. The analysis allowed us to identify key processes that contributed to stepfamilies staying intact or breaking up. We found that the way in which families approached problems and the strategies they employed had more influence on stepfamily survival than the nature, number, or intensity of these problems. We also outlined the role of certain elements related to family context, such as the custody of children from former unions, intrafamily communication, and each person's particular characteristics. With regard to practitioner intervention, the results highlight the importance of examining the way in which couples deal with their problems, the strategies they employ, and the effectiveness of the strategies.In the United States, it is estimated that more than two thirds of women and three quarters

Stepfamilies Doing Family: A Meta‐Ethnography

“…Two manifestations of these differences-stressors-can be recognized in stepfamily members' narratives. First, both parents and children report experiencing loyalty conflicts, that is, children "feeling caught" between their two parents or parents "feeling caught" between their children and their new partner (Afifi, 2003;Baxter et al, 2004;Coleman et al, 2001;Golish, 2003;Koenig Kellas et al, 2008;Martin-Uzzi & Duval-Tsioles, 2013;Saint-Jacques et al, 2011). The second stressor concerns the lack of clear rules and norms regarding the stepparent's role, generating role ambiguity and potentially role conflict, because of the different expectations each stepfamily member has for the stepparent (Afifi, 2003;Baxter et al, 2004Baxter et al, , 2006Braithwaite et al, 2001;Coleman et al, 2001;Golish, 2003;Kinniburgh-White, Cartwright, & Seymour, 2010;Whiting et al, 2007).…”

“…In trying to cope with these two stressors, the negotiation of family boundaries is central in stepfamily members' narratives about doing family (Braithwaite et al, 2001;Brown & Robinson, 2012;Coleman et al, 2001;Dedai c, 2001;Kinniburgh-White et al, 2010). Direct confrontation, openness, and meta-communication are commonly used strategies, both by adults and children (Afifi, 2003;Braithwaite et al, 2001;Martin-Uzzi & Duval-Tsioles, 2013;Saint-Jacques et al, 2011;Whiting et al, 2007). One stepmother illustrates the importance of open communication to overcome possible conflicts:…”

Familien mit multipler Elternschaft : Entstehungszusammenhänge, Herausforderungen und Potenziale

“…Alltagsroutinen müssen oftmals zwischen den verschiedenen Elternteilen neu ausgehandelt und geordnet werden. Die Zufriedenheit der Familien und deren einzelnen Mitglieder werden durch den Umgang mit den oben genannten Herausforderungen wesentlich beeinflusst: "We found that the way in which families approached problems and the stra-tegies they employed had more influence on stepfamily survival than the nature, number, or intensity of these problems" (Saint-Jacques et al 2011).…”

Gender Differences in Substance Use Across Marital Statuses

“…Remarriages are often fraught with higher levels of stress, and relationship quality between individuals and their new spouses, as well as with both previous children and new children, often suffers (Ehrenberg, et al, 2012;Mirecki et al, 2013). The somewhat fragile nature of remarriage can also be seen in its dissolution rate, which is considerably higher than that of first marriages (Saint-Jacques et al, 2011). Of course, remarriage occurs at a later stage in life for individuals, so their ability and willingness to adapt to new relationships may be confounded by earlier experiences (Sweeney, 1997).…”