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Lawrence H. Ganong - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Stepfathers' affinity-seeking with Stepchildren, stepfather-Stepchild relationship quality, marital quality, and stepfamily cohesion among stepfathers and mothers.
Journal of family psychology : JFP : journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43), 2019Co-Authors: Lawrence H. Ganong, Todd M. Jensen, Caroline Sanner, Luke T. Russell, Marilyn ColemanAbstract:Because of the potential stepparent-Stepchild relationships have for tension and conflict, clinicians have identified the development of a positive stepparent-Stepchild connection as one of the major tasks of stepfamily life. Stepparents often are advised to focus initially on developing friendships with Stepchildren, or seeking affinity with them, particularly early in the life of the relationship. Both family systems theory and evolutionary theory suggest that stepparents' affinity-seeking behaviors are related to the quality and functioning of other stepfamily dyads, such as couple relationships, and the whole stepfamily. We extend prior work on stepparents' affinity seeking by including perceptions of both members of the stepcouple about affinity seeking, stepfather-Stepchild conflicts, couple relationship quality, and stepfamily cohesion. Stepfathers and mothers from 234 stepcouples independently completed online surveys. After accounting for covariates (i.e., duration of mothers' previous relationships, duration of the stepcouple relationship, focal child's biological sex and age, number of children in the household, and mothers' report of household income), stepfathers' perceptions of affinity-seeking with the focal child significantly predicted both partners' perceptions of stepfather-Stepchild conflict, marital quality, marital confidence, and stepfamily cohesion. Mothers' perceptions of stepfathers' affinity-seeking were significantly related to her marital confidence and perceptions of stepfamily cohesion. Stepfathers' perceptions of their affinity-seeking explained more variance in stepfathers' and mothers' outcomes than did mothers' perceptions. The results suggest benefits associated with stepfather affinity-seeking-less conflict with Stepchildren, better couple relationships, and closer stepfamily ties. Our findings provide evidence for encouraging stepparents to focus on building affinity with Stepchildren. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Stepchildren Claiming Stepparents
Journal of Family Issues, 2017Co-Authors: Lawrence H. Ganong, Marilyn Coleman, Ashton Chapman, Tyler B. JamisonAbstract:The purpose of this study was to examine the concept of Stepchild claiming stepparents as parental figures or as kin. By examining the process of Stepchildren claiming stepparents’ as kin, we sough...
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Patterns of Stepchild-Stepparent Relationship Development.
Journal of Marriage and Family, 2011Co-Authors: Lawrence H. Ganong, Marilyn Coleman, Tyler B. JamisonAbstract:Thirty-two stepdaughters and 17 stepsons participated in this grounded theory study of emerging adult Stepchildren's perceptions about how relationships with their stepparents developed. The theory created from this study proposes that the degree to which Stepchildren engage in relationship-building and -maintaining behaviors with stepparents is a function of Stepchildren's evaluative judgments about the stepparents' positive contributions. Stepchildren's judgments about stepparents are made with inputs from biological parents and other kin. Stepchildren's ages when relationships began, gender of Stepchildren and stepparents, and time spent together because of custody arrangements provided the context within which relationships developed. The outcomes in this grounded theory were six patterns of step-relationship development: accepting as a parent, liking from the start, accepting with ambivalence, changing trajectory, rejecting, and coexisting. These patterns of development were distinct trajectories that related closely to qualitatively different stepparent-Stepchild relationships. Only 30% of Stepchildren with multiple stepparents evaluated them similarly. Key Words: grounded theory, remarriage, Stepchild, stepparent. "I adore Jim. I despised Bill. Greta was great. Laura 1 did like: I disagreed with her on a lot of stuff, but 1 did really get along with her. And Babbette just isn't a pleasant person." - Nina, about her stepparents. Although clinicians (Visher & Visher, 1996) and researchers (Crosbie-Burnett, 1984) have long focused attention on stepparent -Stepchild relationships as key to overall stepfamily functioning, surprisingly little research exists on the processes by which these relationships develop (Ganong & Coleman, 2004; King, 2006). Given that almost one third of U.S. children will live with a stepparent before they reach adulthood (Bumpass, Raley, & Sweet, 1995) and that lower levels of well-being among Stepchildren compared to children in nuclear families have often been attributed to adjustment problems related to acquiring a stepparent (Ganong & Coleman), it is important for researchers to better understand how step-relationships develop, particularly step-relationships that are satisfying for the individuals involved. Knowing how affirming step-relationships develop is useful for practitioners and researchers. Stepparents ' Contributions to Step-relationships Several researchers have reported that steprelationships are closer when stepparents take a supportive role with Stepchildren and let biological parents do most of the disciplining (CrosbieBurnett & Giles-Sims, 1994; Hetherington & Clingempeel, 1992). Additionally, authoritative stepparents - who favor high warmth and flexible control as a "parenting style" - have better relationships with Stepchildren than authoritarian stepparents, who demonstrate low warmth and high control (Golish, 2003; Henry & Lovelace, 1995). Some stepparents recognize that their Stepchildren are more willing to accept them if they treat them warmly (EreraWeatherly, 1996; Svare, Jay, & Mason, 2004) and engage in friendship-building strategies early in the relationship (Ganong, Coleman, Fine, & Martin, 1999). These research findings echo clinicians' advice for stepparents to befriend Stepchildren and try to build close relationships with them before attempting to discipline them (Visher & Visher, 1 996). Although the idea that stepparents should engage Stepchildren in activities that are supportive and fun until relational bonds are firmly established may seem logical, not all stepparents do this (Ganong et al., 1999). Many stepparents quickly try to set rules and administer discipline (Berger, 1998; Bray & Kelly, 1998; Erera-Weatherly, 1996; MacDonald & DeMaris, 1996), which often results in conflict and emotionally distant relationships (Bray & Kelly, 1998; Ganong et al. …
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Adult Stepchildren’s Obligations to Older Stepparents:
Journal of Family Nursing, 2002Co-Authors: Julie Clawson, Lawrence H. GanongAbstract:The purpose of this study was to develop a grounded theory of perceived obligations in older stepfamilies. Ten older remarried adults with at least one adult Stepchild and 10 adult Stepchildren were interviewed about their beliefs about what adult Stepchildren should do for stepparents. Grounded theory methods were used to analyze data from interview transcripts. Stepchildren and stepparents agreed that Stepchildren have few obligations to assist stepparents. The key in deciding whether a responsibility to assist existed was how the relationship was defined. Other considerations were whether the stepparent had helped raise the Stepchild, relationship quality, evaluation of the remarriage (for Stepchildren only), unresolved conflicts (stepparents only), and whether the stepparent had helped the Stepchild as an adult (stepparents only). Physical realities (proximity, contact) and norms (filial, reciprocity, helping) were contexts within which judgments about helping were made.
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Stepparents' Affinity-Seeking and Affinity-Maintaining Strategies With Stepchildren
Journal of Family Issues, 1999Co-Authors: Lawrence H. Ganong, Marilyn Coleman, Mark A. Fine, Patricia Yancey MartinAbstract:The purposes of this study were to examine the strategies that stepparents use to develop and maintain affinity with Stepchildren and the effects that these strategies have on the development of stepparent-Stepchild relationships. Data were collected via interviews with members of 17 stepfamilies in which there was at least one Stepchild between the ages of 10 and 19 living in the household. Stepparent-Stepchild relationships are characterized by liking and affection when stepparents focus on developing friendships with Stepchildren and when they continue those efforts after they begin sharing a residence together. We identified 31 affinity-seeking strategies. Dyadic activities worked best, but it is important that Stepchildren recognize affinity-seeking attempts. The success of affinity-seeking and affinity-maintaining strategies are contingent on the interpersonal and intrapersonal contexts within which they occur. In the stepfamilies in which step-relationships were poor, there was competition from the...
Paul R. Amato - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Factors associated with positive relationships between stepfathers and adolescent Stepchildren.
Social science research, 2014Co-Authors: Valarie King, Maggie L. Thorsen, Paul R. AmatoAbstract:Abstract This study employs nationally representative data on adolescents and their stepfathers ( n = 2085) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to examine factors associated with positive stepfather–Stepchild relationships in married stepfamilies. Results reveal substantial variability in the perceived quality of adolescents’ relationships with stepfathers. Structural equation models using Wave I data reveal that close relationships with mothers and close ties between mothers and stepfathers are positively related to the perceived quality of adolescents’ relationships with stepfathers. Longitudinal models using Waves I and II do not yield definitive results but suggest that the direction of influence runs in both directions, with the mother–child relationship and the stepfather–Stepchild relationship mutually reinforcing one another. We identify a number of other factors that are associated with positive stepfather–Stepchild ties, as well as a few factors that may be less consequential than previously thought. Most of the correlates of positive stepfather–Stepchild relationships are similar for boys and girls; for Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics; and for stepfamilies of various durations.
Valarie King - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Factors associated with positive relationships between stepfathers and adolescent Stepchildren.
Social science research, 2014Co-Authors: Valarie King, Maggie L. Thorsen, Paul R. AmatoAbstract:Abstract This study employs nationally representative data on adolescents and their stepfathers ( n = 2085) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to examine factors associated with positive stepfather–Stepchild relationships in married stepfamilies. Results reveal substantial variability in the perceived quality of adolescents’ relationships with stepfathers. Structural equation models using Wave I data reveal that close relationships with mothers and close ties between mothers and stepfathers are positively related to the perceived quality of adolescents’ relationships with stepfathers. Longitudinal models using Waves I and II do not yield definitive results but suggest that the direction of influence runs in both directions, with the mother–child relationship and the stepfather–Stepchild relationship mutually reinforcing one another. We identify a number of other factors that are associated with positive stepfather–Stepchild ties, as well as a few factors that may be less consequential than previously thought. Most of the correlates of positive stepfather–Stepchild relationships are similar for boys and girls; for Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics; and for stepfamilies of various durations.
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Stepfamily Formation: Implications for Adolescent Ties to Mothers, Nonresident Fathers, and Stepfathers.
Journal of marriage and the family, 2009Co-Authors: Valarie KingAbstract:This study examines how the entrance of a stepfather influences adolescent ties to mothers and nonresident fathers, and how prior ties to each biological parent influences the development of stepfather-Stepchild ties. Data come from 1753 adolescents in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health who lived with a single mother in Wave 1 that remained single, cohabited, or married by Wave 2, approximately one year later. Stepfamily formation had little consequence for adolescent-nonresident father ties. Adolescent-mother closeness, however, declined when cohabiting, but not married, stepfathers entered the household. Close ties to married stepfathers were more likely to develop when adolescents were closer to their mothers before stepfather entry. Prior ties to nonresident fathers were unrelated to stepfather-Stepchild ties.
Dawn O Braithwaite - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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“Feeling Warmth and Close to Her”: Communication and Resilience Reflected in Turning Points in Positive Adult Stepchild–Stepparent Relationships
Journal of Family Communication, 2018Co-Authors: Dawn O Braithwaite, Vincent R. Waldron, Jordan Allen, Bailey Margaret Oliver, Gretchen Bergquist, Katie Storck, Jaclyn S. Marsh, Nathan M. Swords, Carol L. Tschampl-diesingAbstract:ABSTRACTWith the goal of understanding the development of positive Stepchild–stepparent relationships, the researchers focused on turning points characterizing the interaction of adult Stepchildren who have a positive bond with a stepparent. Engaging a relational turning points perspective, 38 Stepchildren (males and females, ages 25 to 52 years old) who reported a positive stepparent relationship were interviewed, generating 269 turning points which were categorized into 15 turning point types and coded by valence. Turning points occurring most frequently were: prosocial actions, quality time, conflict/disagreement, changes in household/family composition, and rituals. Findings are discussed, including implications for developing and enacting resilient and positive Stepchild–stepparent relationships and future directions for researchers wanting to focus on positive family interaction.
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feeling warmth and close to her communication and resilience reflected in turning points in positive adult Stepchild stepparent relationships
Journal of Family Communication, 2018Co-Authors: Dawn O Braithwaite, Vincent R. Waldron, Jordan Allen, Gretchen Bergquist, Katie Storck, Jaclyn S. Marsh, Nathan M. Swords, Bailey Oliver, Carol L TschampldiesingAbstract:ABSTRACTWith the goal of understanding the development of positive Stepchild–stepparent relationships, the researchers focused on turning points characterizing the interaction of adult Stepchildren who have a positive bond with a stepparent. Engaging a relational turning points perspective, 38 Stepchildren (males and females, ages 25 to 52 years old) who reported a positive stepparent relationship were interviewed, generating 269 turning points which were categorized into 15 turning point types and coded by valence. Turning points occurring most frequently were: prosocial actions, quality time, conflict/disagreement, changes in household/family composition, and rituals. Findings are discussed, including implications for developing and enacting resilient and positive Stepchild–stepparent relationships and future directions for researchers wanting to focus on positive family interaction.
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types of communication triads perceived by young adult Stepchildren in established stepfamilies
Communication Studies, 2006Co-Authors: Leslie A Baxter, Dawn O Braithwaite, Leah E BryantAbstract:This study was an analysis of the kinds of residential parent-stepparent-Stepchild triadic communication structures expressed in interviews with 50 college-aged children from established stepfamilies. In an interpretive analysis of the interview transcripts, four communication structures were identified. In the linked triad the Stepchild relied on indirect communication with the stepparent through his or her residential parent. The outsider triad was characterized by the Stepchild communicating primarily with the residential parent with limited awareness of interdependence with the stepparent. In the adult-coalition triad the Stepchild perceived that the residential parent and stepparent had formed a coalition, leading to cautious and distrustful communication with both adults. The complete triad featured the Stepchild experiencing a “real family” with open communication with both the residential parent and the stepparent. Contributions of studying stepfamilies from the perspective of triadic communicatio...
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Stepchildren’s Perceptions of the Contradictions in Communication with Stepparents
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2004Co-Authors: Leslie A Baxter, Dawn O Braithwaite, Leah E Bryant, Amy WagnerAbstract:This interpretive study, framed in relational dialectics theory, sought to identify Stepchildren’s perceptions of the contradictions that animate communication with the stepparent in their household of primary residence. In-depth interviews were conducted, producing 802 pages of double-spaced interview transcripts, which were analyzed inductively for commonly experienced contradictions of Stepchild-stepparent communication. Three underlying contradictions were identified. First, Stepchild-stepparent communication was perceived to be characterized by a dialectic of integration, characterized by both closeness and distance. Second, Stepchild-stepparent communication was perceived to be characterized by a dialectic of parental status, in which the stepparent was, and was not, granted legitimacy in a parent role. Third, Stepchild-stepparent communication was perceived to be animated by a dialectic of expression in which both candor and discretion were featured.
Marilyn Coleman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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A Dyadic Analysis of Emotion Regulation as a Moderator of Associations Between Marital Conflict and Marital Satisfaction Among First-married and Remarried Couples:
Journal of Family Issues, 2020Co-Authors: Nick Frye, Todd M. Jensen, Lawrence Ganong, Marilyn ColemanAbstract:We examined emotion regulation strategies as moderators of marital conflict and marital satisfaction between first-married and remarried couples. Remarried couples with a Stepchild (n = 108) and fi...
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Stepfathers' affinity-seeking with Stepchildren, stepfather-Stepchild relationship quality, marital quality, and stepfamily cohesion among stepfathers and mothers.
Journal of family psychology : JFP : journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43), 2019Co-Authors: Lawrence H. Ganong, Todd M. Jensen, Caroline Sanner, Luke T. Russell, Marilyn ColemanAbstract:Because of the potential stepparent-Stepchild relationships have for tension and conflict, clinicians have identified the development of a positive stepparent-Stepchild connection as one of the major tasks of stepfamily life. Stepparents often are advised to focus initially on developing friendships with Stepchildren, or seeking affinity with them, particularly early in the life of the relationship. Both family systems theory and evolutionary theory suggest that stepparents' affinity-seeking behaviors are related to the quality and functioning of other stepfamily dyads, such as couple relationships, and the whole stepfamily. We extend prior work on stepparents' affinity seeking by including perceptions of both members of the stepcouple about affinity seeking, stepfather-Stepchild conflicts, couple relationship quality, and stepfamily cohesion. Stepfathers and mothers from 234 stepcouples independently completed online surveys. After accounting for covariates (i.e., duration of mothers' previous relationships, duration of the stepcouple relationship, focal child's biological sex and age, number of children in the household, and mothers' report of household income), stepfathers' perceptions of affinity-seeking with the focal child significantly predicted both partners' perceptions of stepfather-Stepchild conflict, marital quality, marital confidence, and stepfamily cohesion. Mothers' perceptions of stepfathers' affinity-seeking were significantly related to her marital confidence and perceptions of stepfamily cohesion. Stepfathers' perceptions of their affinity-seeking explained more variance in stepfathers' and mothers' outcomes than did mothers' perceptions. The results suggest benefits associated with stepfather affinity-seeking-less conflict with Stepchildren, better couple relationships, and closer stepfamily ties. Our findings provide evidence for encouraging stepparents to focus on building affinity with Stepchildren. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Stepchildren Claiming Stepparents
Journal of Family Issues, 2017Co-Authors: Lawrence H. Ganong, Marilyn Coleman, Ashton Chapman, Tyler B. JamisonAbstract:The purpose of this study was to examine the concept of Stepchild claiming stepparents as parental figures or as kin. By examining the process of Stepchildren claiming stepparents’ as kin, we sough...
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Patterns of Stepchild-Stepparent Relationship Development.
Journal of Marriage and Family, 2011Co-Authors: Lawrence H. Ganong, Marilyn Coleman, Tyler B. JamisonAbstract:Thirty-two stepdaughters and 17 stepsons participated in this grounded theory study of emerging adult Stepchildren's perceptions about how relationships with their stepparents developed. The theory created from this study proposes that the degree to which Stepchildren engage in relationship-building and -maintaining behaviors with stepparents is a function of Stepchildren's evaluative judgments about the stepparents' positive contributions. Stepchildren's judgments about stepparents are made with inputs from biological parents and other kin. Stepchildren's ages when relationships began, gender of Stepchildren and stepparents, and time spent together because of custody arrangements provided the context within which relationships developed. The outcomes in this grounded theory were six patterns of step-relationship development: accepting as a parent, liking from the start, accepting with ambivalence, changing trajectory, rejecting, and coexisting. These patterns of development were distinct trajectories that related closely to qualitatively different stepparent-Stepchild relationships. Only 30% of Stepchildren with multiple stepparents evaluated them similarly. Key Words: grounded theory, remarriage, Stepchild, stepparent. "I adore Jim. I despised Bill. Greta was great. Laura 1 did like: I disagreed with her on a lot of stuff, but 1 did really get along with her. And Babbette just isn't a pleasant person." - Nina, about her stepparents. Although clinicians (Visher & Visher, 1996) and researchers (Crosbie-Burnett, 1984) have long focused attention on stepparent -Stepchild relationships as key to overall stepfamily functioning, surprisingly little research exists on the processes by which these relationships develop (Ganong & Coleman, 2004; King, 2006). Given that almost one third of U.S. children will live with a stepparent before they reach adulthood (Bumpass, Raley, & Sweet, 1995) and that lower levels of well-being among Stepchildren compared to children in nuclear families have often been attributed to adjustment problems related to acquiring a stepparent (Ganong & Coleman), it is important for researchers to better understand how step-relationships develop, particularly step-relationships that are satisfying for the individuals involved. Knowing how affirming step-relationships develop is useful for practitioners and researchers. Stepparents ' Contributions to Step-relationships Several researchers have reported that steprelationships are closer when stepparents take a supportive role with Stepchildren and let biological parents do most of the disciplining (CrosbieBurnett & Giles-Sims, 1994; Hetherington & Clingempeel, 1992). Additionally, authoritative stepparents - who favor high warmth and flexible control as a "parenting style" - have better relationships with Stepchildren than authoritarian stepparents, who demonstrate low warmth and high control (Golish, 2003; Henry & Lovelace, 1995). Some stepparents recognize that their Stepchildren are more willing to accept them if they treat them warmly (EreraWeatherly, 1996; Svare, Jay, & Mason, 2004) and engage in friendship-building strategies early in the relationship (Ganong, Coleman, Fine, & Martin, 1999). These research findings echo clinicians' advice for stepparents to befriend Stepchildren and try to build close relationships with them before attempting to discipline them (Visher & Visher, 1 996). Although the idea that stepparents should engage Stepchildren in activities that are supportive and fun until relational bonds are firmly established may seem logical, not all stepparents do this (Ganong et al., 1999). Many stepparents quickly try to set rules and administer discipline (Berger, 1998; Bray & Kelly, 1998; Erera-Weatherly, 1996; MacDonald & DeMaris, 1996), which often results in conflict and emotionally distant relationships (Bray & Kelly, 1998; Ganong et al. …
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Stepparents' Affinity-Seeking and Affinity-Maintaining Strategies With Stepchildren
Journal of Family Issues, 1999Co-Authors: Lawrence H. Ganong, Marilyn Coleman, Mark A. Fine, Patricia Yancey MartinAbstract:The purposes of this study were to examine the strategies that stepparents use to develop and maintain affinity with Stepchildren and the effects that these strategies have on the development of stepparent-Stepchild relationships. Data were collected via interviews with members of 17 stepfamilies in which there was at least one Stepchild between the ages of 10 and 19 living in the household. Stepparent-Stepchild relationships are characterized by liking and affection when stepparents focus on developing friendships with Stepchildren and when they continue those efforts after they begin sharing a residence together. We identified 31 affinity-seeking strategies. Dyadic activities worked best, but it is important that Stepchildren recognize affinity-seeking attempts. The success of affinity-seeking and affinity-maintaining strategies are contingent on the interpersonal and intrapersonal contexts within which they occur. In the stepfamilies in which step-relationships were poor, there was competition from the...