Types of Communication Triads Perceived by Young-Adult Stepchildren in Established Stepfamilies

A Social Relations Model of Everyday Talk and Relational Satisfaction in Stepfamilies

“…), as well as the interpersonal dynamics between or among them (Galvin et al, 2006). Consequently, this principle further emphasizes the need for family scholars to account for the triangulation and loyalty divides that so often characterize postdivorce families and stepfamilies (e.g., Afifi, 2003;Afifi & Schrodt, 2003a;Amato & Afifi, 2006;Baxter, Braithwaite, & Bryant, 2006).…”

“…One triangle that has received less attention from stepfamily researchers thus far is the parent-stepparent-child triangle (for notable exceptions, see Baxter et al, 2006;Golish, 2003), which in many ways constitutes the fundamental building block of a stepfamily system. Inherent in this triangle are the tensions that emerge as a function of balancing a preexisting parent/child relationship with the remarriage relationship, as well as the ambiguities surrounding the role of the stepparent in the stepparent/ stepchild relationship (Fine, Coleman, & Ganong, 1998;Schrodt, 2006b).…”

An Examination of Everyday Talk in Stepfamily Systems

“…), as well as the interpersonal dynamics between or among them (Galvin et al, 2006). Consequently, this principle further emphasizes the need for family scholars to account for the potential alliances, coalitions, and other forms of triangulation and loyalty divides that so often characterize postdivorce families and stepfamilies (e.g., Afifi, 2003;Afifi & Schrodt, 2003b;Amato & Afifi, 2006;Baxter, Braithwaite, & Bryant, 2006;Buchanan, Maccoby, & Dornbusch, 1991.…”

Telling the Story of Stepfamily Beginnings: The Relationship between Young-adult Stepchildren's Stepfamily Origin Stories and their Satisfaction with the Stepfamily

“…Stepparents and stepchildren often communicate in ways characterized by conflict, topic avoidance, and indirectness (Coleman, Ganong, & Fine, 2000. Particularly insidious is the belief among stepfamily members that their family is not a "real family," which is often idealized as always communicatively open and conflict-free (Baxter, Braithwaite, & Bryant, 2006).…”

“…Some participants explained how natural the development was, while others celebrated the opportunity for more family, support, and love. Ironically, Idealized stories function to reinscribe the traditional family unit as the cultural ideal and the dominant discourse that "real" families (i.e., nuclear) are preferable (Baxter et al, 2006;Jones, 2003); these stories were positive because the stepfamily felt like a "real" family rather than praising the stepfamily as a new family form in its own right.…”