Couple strengths and stressors in complex and simple stepfamilies in Australia

• Published in: Journal of marriage and family Vol. 53; no. 3; pp. 555 - 564
• Main Authors: Schultz, N.C, Schultz, C.L, Olson, D.H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Minneapolis, Minn National Council on Family Relations 01.08.1991; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: academic achievement; Age; attachment behavior; Australia; Children; Divorce; Divorce rates; Families & family life; Family Characteristics; Family Problems; family relations; Family Relationship; Family Strengths; Family Structure; Foreign Countries; gender differences; interpersonal relationships; Marital Relations; marital relationships; Marital satisfaction; marital status; marriage; melbourne, australia; Parent child communication; Parent-Child Relations; parent-child relationships; parental role; parenthood; Parenting; Parents; Personal relationships; Remarriage; roles; Sexuality; social adjustment; Social research; Spouses; Stepfamily; Stress; Australia
• ISSN: 0022-2445; 1741-3737
• DOI: 10.2307/352732

This study investigates relationship dimensions of 70 Australian couples and tests the specific hypothesis that the difficulties encountered in the stepparenting dimension are more pronounced in complex stepfamilies (with children from both parents) than in simple stepfamilies. The findings, based on responses to 125 items comprising 12 ENRICH-A scales, indicate that the major strengths for stepfamilies were the areas of sexual relationship and equalitarian roles, while the major stressors were children and parenting, former attachments, and adjustments. Simple stepfamily couples were in more positive agreement than those from complex stepfamilies across ten other dimensions, including children and parenting, the personality of the partner, communication, and conflict resolution. Recommendations for further research include an exploration of preventive approaches to support stepfamilies.