A Qualitative Analysis of Stepfamilies

Abstract

Twelve biological parents with one or more adolescents were interviewed about their experiences prior to and subsequent to step-family formation. Phases preceding stepfamily formation (divorce or death of spouse, single parenting, and dating) were found to influence the parent's subsequent experience. For example, parents reported feeling a great deal of loss and stress that was not alleviated in the new family as well as a decreased fear of being on their own should the stepfamily break up. After stepfamily formation, two global themes describe the experience of parents: (1) shock and disappointment due to deeply imbedded myths and expectations about normative families; and (2) divided loyalties. A model of stress in the stepfamily life cycle is applied to the results.

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