International Journal of Human Ecology

The Korean Home Economics Association (대한가정학회)
권호 표지

The Influence of Role Strain on Stepfamily Adjustment

  • Kim, Hyo-Soon (Department of Social Work, University Of Seoul) ;
  • Kim, Jung-Woo (Department of Social Work, Sungkyunkwan University)
  • Received : 2009.04.10
  • Accepted : 2009.07.16
  • Published : 2009.12.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the dynamics of stepfamilies and the adjustment difficulties such families may experience. The study describes some sociodemographic characteristics of a sample of 117 stepfamilies. The independent variables were stresses due to adjustment difficulties, which were defined as "role strains". Sociodemographic variables included gender, family income level, length of time since remarriage, type of stepfamily, and the existence of any children born to the new marriage. The dependent variable was the extent of stepfamily adjustment, expressed as a scale. The factors influencing family adjustment included stepparent gender, family income level, type of stepfamily, and various role strain variables (family boundary ambiguity, role conflict, etc.). Practical recommendations for social work are made and possibilities for future research in this area are discussed based on the results of this study.

Keywords

References

  1. Adler-Baeder, C., & Higginbotham, M. (2004). How marital dissolution affects children: Variations by age and sex. Developmental Psychology, 25, 540-549 https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.25.4.540
  2. Ahron, C. R., & Rodgers, R. (1987). Divorced families: A multidisciplinary developmental view. New York: W. W. Norton
  3. Amato, P. R., & Keith, B. (1991). Parental divorce and the well-being of children: A meta analysis. Psychological Bulletin 110: 26-46 https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.110.1.26
  4. Ambert, A. M., & Ahron, C. R. (1986). Being a stepparent: Live-in and visiting stepchildren. Journal of Marriage and Family, 48, 795-804 https://doi.org/10.2307/352572
  5. Anderson, J., & White, G. (1986). An empirical investigation of interactive and relationship patterns in functional and dysfunctional nuclear families and stepfamilies. Family Process, 25, 407-422 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.1986.00407.x
  6. Beaudry, M., Boisvert, J. M., Simard, M., Parent, C., & Blais, M. C. (2004). Communication: A key component to meeting the challenges of stepfamilies. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 42(1/2), 85-104 https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v42n01_04
  7. Boss, P. (1980). Normative family stress: Family boundary changes across the life span. Family Relations, 29, 445-450 https://doi.org/10.2307/584457
  8. Bray, J. H. (1992). Family relationships and children's adjustment in clinical and nonclinical stepfather families. Journal of Family Psychology, 6, 60-68 https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.6.1.60
  9. Bray, J. H. (1999). From marriage to remarriage and beyond: Findings from the developmental issues in stepfamilies research project. In E. M. Hetherington (Eds.), Coping with divorce, single parenting, and remarriage: A risk and resiliency perspective (pp. 273-294). Mahwah, NJ: Earlbaum
  10. Bray, J. H., & Berger, S. H. (1993). Nonresidential parent-child relationships following divorce and remarriage. In C. E. Depner & J. H. Bray (Eds.), Nonresidential parenting: New theory, research, and practice (pp. 69-86). Westport, CT: Praeger
  11. Cherlin, A. (1978). Remarriage as an incomplete institution. American Journal of Sociology, 84, 634-650 https://doi.org/10.1086/226830