The Effect of Perceived Closeness to Custodial Parents, Stepparents and Nonresident Parents on Adolescent Self-Esteem

• Published in: Journal of divorce & remarriage Vol. 40; no. 1-2; pp. 69 - 86
• Main Author: Berg, Ellen C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2003
• Subjects: Adolescents; Parent Child Relations; Parents; Self Esteem; Stepfamily; United States of America
• ISSN: 1050-2556
• DOI: 10.1300/J087v40n01_05

Using data from 930 adolescents in custodial mother stepfather families, & 301 adolescents in custodial father-stepmother families, the influences of closeness to parental figures -- custodial, step, & nonresident -- on adolescents' self-esteem were examined. Using family systems theory as a framework, the primary research question addressed was whether the relative influence of each parent on adolescents' self-esteem depended primarily on their status as custodial, step-, or nonresident parents, & whether these influences differed for adolescents with stepmothers, compared to those with stepfathers. Results indicate that adolescents' perceived closeness to their female resident parents (custodial or step-) has a positive effect on self-esteem. Closeness to resident female parents explains the largest relative proportion of the variance in adolescent self-esteem, compared to male resident parents or to nonresident parents of either sex. 7 Tables, 21 References. Adapted from the source document. COPIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM: HAWORTH DOCUMENT DELIVERY CENTER, The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580