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Another Challenge to Remarried Families Is That Roles of Stepchild and Stepparent Are __________.

Stepfamilies:  Trends, Social Implications & Sources of Support

Large FamilyA stepfamily is defined as a family unit of measurement in which there is an adult couple and at to the lowest degree one has a child from a previous human relationship (Cherlin, 1992).  At that place are 3 major reasons to devote particular attention to stepfamilies.  First, remarriages are almost one-half of the marriages in a twelvemonth, and the majority of these are stepfamilies, since they involve children from a previous marriage or relationship (Cherlin, 2009).  Second, stepfamilies have unique characteristics that may put them at higher risk for dissolution than non-stepfamilies.  These challenges arise in office from complex relationships with stepchildren, quondam partners, and half- or stepsiblings (Prado & Markman, 1999).  Third, although children can do well in a diversity of family unit forms, information technology appears that children living in a stepfamily may be at greater hazard for a variety of negative outcomes than are children living with both biological/adoptive married parents (Amato & Booth, 1997).

This Collection includes resources that summarize the various social trends and factors leading to greater formation of stepfamilies in the United States, and that describe the unique characteristics and challenges faced by stepfamilies.  The Collection also includes important resources for policymakers, practitioners, researchers, the media, and stepfamilies themselves.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive drove but it is a selection of relevant documents and materials that take informed the field and that are, for the well-nigh part, easily attainable.  Additional publications and resources will be posted periodically every bit they come to our attention.

The NHMRC would similar to thank Stacey Bouchet, Jordan Kahn, Jane Koppelman, Joyce Webb, and Courtney Harrison of the Resource Center for their contributions to the development of this Drove by Topic.  We are too grateful to Ron Deal, author of the Stepfamily Resources Library, for his review of this Drove.  This is a product of the NHMRC, led past co-directors Mary Myrick, APR, and Jeanette Hercik, PhD, and project manager Rich Batten, ThM, MEd, CFLE.

Tabular array of Contents:

I. Shifts in Family unit Structure and Trends in Stepfamily Formation

II. The Social Implications of Stepfamily Formation

Iii. Unique Challenges Facing Stepfamilies

a.      Financial Challenges

b.      Couple Relationships

c.      Parenting in Stepfamilies

d.      Former Spouses

Four.  Research and Resource for Practitioners and Therapists Working with Stepfamilies

V.   Stepfamily Matrimony and Relationship Education Curricula

Half dozen.  Resources for Blended Family Couples

I.  Shifts in Family unit Structure and Trends in Stepfamily Formation

Asian American FamilyCurrently, approximately half of all U. S. marriages annually are remarriages for one or both partners, and the majority (approximately 65%) of those adults have children from a previous relationship, thus forming stepfamilies (Adler-Baeder & Higginbotham, 2004).  The formation of stepfamilies has increased equally a result of rising rates of divorces, remarriages, and first marriages following not-marital births with a different partner (Robertson, Adler-Baeder, Collins, DeMarco, Fein, & Schramm, 2006).  The following resources provide background on demographic trends in remarriage and stepfamily formation.  They accept been compiled in order to provide a contextual agreement of how marriage and family structure have changed over time.

Berger, R. (1998).  Stepfamilies: A multi-dimensional perspective.  New York: Haworth.

Characteristics and issues of stepfamilies, differences amid minority and same-sex stepfamilies, and strategies for working on stepfamily problems.

Braithwaite, D., Olson, L. North., Golish, T. D., Soukop, C., & Turman, P. (2001).  Condign a family unit: Developmental processes represented in blended family discourse. Journal of Applied Advice Research, 29, 221-247.

The first four years of stepfamily development. Stepfamilies are seen to experience dissimilar levels of feeling like a family. Some families that brand rapid familial bonds, slowly progressing bonds, failing bonds, stagnating bonds, and turbulent bonds.

Cherlin, A. J., & Furstenberg, F. F. (1994).  Stepfamilies in the Usa: A reconsideration. Annual Review of Sociology, 20(1), 359-381.

5 themes exploring stepfamily formation and functioning.These include changing marriage and remarriage rates, forms of kinship, stepfamily social arrangement, consequences for children, and risk of divorce.  The report notes that when divorced persons practise non remarry, they frequently substitute cohabitation for remarriage.

Coleman, Yard., & Ganong, L. (1997). Stepfamilies from the stepfamily'southward perspective. Marriage and Family unit Review, 26, 107-122.

Examines the stepfamily from the perspective of those within a stepfamily.  Stepfamily routines, unlike first-married family routines which develop naturally over time, may take negotiation and flexibility to piece of work.  The authors recommend focusing on the well-performance characteristics of stepfamilies.

Coleman, M., Ganong, L., & Fine, M. A. (2000).  Reinvestigating remarriage: Another decade of progress. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 62, 1288-1307.

Follows trends in increasing enquiry on stepfamilies.  More researchers have studied the complexities of stepfamilies, including household configuration, years residing together, and socioeconomic condition.  The authors recommend more longitudinal studies, as well as studies on nontraditional stepfamilies.

Coontz, S. (1997).  The way we really are: Coming to terms with America's changing families.  New York: Basic.

Family structures and the history of new forms of family.  The author identifies economic problems, equally opposed to the dissolution of the traditional family structure, as a factor underlying problems in family life.

Einstein, E. (1988). The stepfamily.  Macmillan Publishing Company.

This volume details, though interviews and stories of personal experiences, the positives and negatives that stepfamilies feel.  Stepfamilies and professionals who work with them also provide insight into how stepfamilies are formed, and into the experiences of parents, children, and extended family within the stepfamily relationship.

Larson, J. (1992). Understanding stepfamilies.American Demographics. fourteen, 36-39.

The numbers of stepfamilies in America today and some of their more than common characteristics. The article also explores the special needs of stepfamilies, including legal and insurance matters.

Papernow, P. (1993).  Becoming a stepfamily: Patterns of development in remarried families.  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Using example studies, this book examines the challenges of building strong stepparent-stepchild relationships amongst remarried couples.  Guidance is included on educational and clinical stepfamily interventions for family members, therapists, school personnel, and others.

Stewart, Susan D. (2007).  Brave new stepfamilies: Diverse paths toward stepfamily living.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Living arrangements are described using the current data. Follows arious recent stepfamily forms through social trends, such as cohabitation, shared custody, same-sex activity wedlock, and the crumbling population.

National Good for you Union Resource Eye (2009). Step-Families in the United States: A Fact Sail.

Data on the number of stepfamilies, different types of stepfamilies, and nonresidential and cohabiting stepfamilies.

II.  The Social Implications of Stepfamily Formation

African American Family of 4The following materials discuss the characteristics of stepfamilies and the potential impacts remarriage can have on children and parents.  When both partners have had previous marriages, for instance, the willingness to leave the electric current marriage is higher than for those just married once.  The resources beneath examine the increasing complexity of family formation.

Amato, P. R., & Booth, A. (1997).  A Generation atrisk: Growing up in an era of family unit upheaval.  Cambridge: Harvard University Printing.

Topic: How youth coming of age in the 1980s and 1990s have been afflicted by the significant domestic changes of the last three decades.  Based on a fifteen-twelvemonth written report begun in 1980, the book considers factors such as parents' socioeconomic resources, their gender roles and relations, and the quality and stability of their marriages.  It also examines children'southward relationships with their parents, their intimate and broader social affiliations, and children'due south psychological well-being amongst both married and re-married families.

Bumpass, Fifty. L., Raley, R. K., & Sweet, J. A. (1995).  The changing character of stepfamilies:  Implications of cohabitation and nonmarital childbearing. Demography, 32, 425-436.

Divorce, nonmarital childbearing, and cohabitation are reshaping family feel in the United States.  The article discusses that the definition of stepfamilies includes cohabitating couples raising a kid of only one partner and recognizes the big role of nonmarital childbearing in the cosmos of stepfamilies.

Cherlin, A. J. (2009).  The union-go-round: The state of marriage and family in America today. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

The cultural development of marriage in America, with regard to faith and the law, how and why the present state of marriage (a merry-go-round of partnerships) has developed, and the implications for parents and children.

Coleman, 1000., & Ganong, L. H. (2004).  Handbook of contemporary families: Considering the by, contemplating the future.  London: Sage.

Changes in family formation in the terminal few decades.  The authors study how these changes impact family police force, family teaching, and family therapy.

Coleman, K., Ganong, 50., & Fine, M.  (2000).  Reinvestigating remarriage: Some other decade of progress. Periodical of Matrimony and the Family, 62, 1288-1307.

An overview of trends in topics, research methods, and theories related to stepfamilies, and the complex challenge of studying these families.  The body of stepfamily inquiry published in the 1990s exceeded the entire inquiry output in the previous 90 years.

Hetherington, E. Grand., & Kelly, J. (2002).  For improve or for worse: Divorce reconsidered.  New York:  Norton.

An in-depth look at near 1,400 families and two,500 children who have experienced divorce or stepfamily development.  The book also provides a balanced view for divorced people about changes that occur with divorce and remarriage, the risks post-divorce, and the potential impact on children equally families change.

Ganong, L., & Coleman, M. (1995).  Remarriage and children.  In D. Levinson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of marriage and the family (pp. 584-587).  New York: Macmillan.

The touch of remarriage on a child'southward life.  The authors state that at that place are conflicting studies on negative outcomes for stepchildren compared with children in nuclear families.

Ganong, L., & Coleman, Thousand. (1997).  How lodge views stepfamilies. Wedlock and Family Review, 26, 85-106.

Classifies societies' perceptions of stepfamilies as either disregarded, due to lack of institutionalized guidelines, or as less functional than nuclear families.  The authors note that families should not enter remarriage with high expectations of a functional human relationship without endeavor and frequent communication.  The authors recommend that schoolhouse and media should accept a more balanced portrayal of stepfamily strengths and weaknesses.

Malia, S. E. C. (2005).  Balancing family unit members' interests regarding stepparent rights and obligations: A social policy challenge. Family unit Relations, 54, 298-319.

Legal policies and regulations for stepparents regarding their stepchildren.  Due to the insufficient definition of stepparent rights and obligations, the authors recommend a more inclusive definition of family to include stepparents and more diverse family formations.

O'Connor, A. (2003).  The truth about stepfamilies:  Existent American stepfamilies speak out about what works and what doesn't when information technology comes to creating a life together.  New York: Marlowe.

Eight case studies that illustrate the many different perspectives of members in a stepfamily.  The overall bulletin is that children can prosper in stepfamilies when in that location is parental and child cooperation and understanding.

Papernow, P. L. (2003).  Becoming a stepfamily:  Patterns of evolution in remarried families.  Hillsdale, NJ:  Analytic Press.

Developmental challenges involved in building nourishing, reliable relationships between stepparents and stepchildren, in the newly married couple, and among different family groups who must learn to alive together in a remarried family unit.  Papernow discusses the factors that influence the pace and ease of development, and she provides four total-length case studies illustrating the varied paths through the stepfamily cycle to the successful remarried life.

Pasley, K., Koch, Grand., & Ihinger-Tallman, M. (1993).  Problems in remarriage: An exploratory study of intact and terminated remarriages.Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, twenty(1/2), 63-83.

Using data from 26 remarried and redivorced individuals, this article examines the differences between remarriages that stayed intact and those that ended in divorce.  Results show that re-divorced individuals had a college frequency of spousal disagreement on money, parenting, outsider relations, and household expectations.

III.  Unique Challenges Facing Stepfamilies

Middle Aged Family of threeEnquiry on remarriages that form stepfamilies reveals their complexities.  For instance, in stepfamilies, parenting roles have to exist re-negotiated, former partners/parents have to exist considered because of their possible influence on household decision-making and finances, and stepparent- stepchild and stepsibling relationships take to develop and be supported (Adler-Baeder & Higginbotham,2004).

The resources below detail the issues that arise in stepfamilies and ways they can be unlike from the challenges faced in first marriage families. At that place are a few general resources kickoff, followed by resources on specific topics.

Beaudry, Grand., Boisvert, J.M., Simard, Grand., Parent, C., & Blais, Thou. C. (2004).  Communication: An important cardinal to meeting the challenges of stepfamilies. Periodical of Divorce and Remarriage, 42, 85-104.

The challenges in communication within stepfamilies, using the examples of 26 stepfamily couples.  Results show that spouses' advice skills contribute to long-term marital satisfaction.

Booth, A., & Dunn, J. (Eds.). (1994). Stepfamilies: Who benefits?  Who does not? Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

The development of stepfamilies, inherent issues that ascend with blending families, the impact of stepfamily formation on children, and the importance of policy changes to protect stepfamily relationships.

DeLongis, A., & Preece, 1000. (2002). Emotional and relational consequences of coping in stepfamilies. Marriage and Family Review, 34, 115-138.

The relationships between 154 remarried couples and their children and stepchildren, and ways to cope with stresses.  Results showed that in stepfamilies where wives use confrontation to cope with family stress, husbands withdraw emotionally from stepchildren.  In turn, every bit wives' emotional closeness with stepchildren decreases, tension with biological children increases.

Prado, Fifty. Grand., & Markman, H. J. (1999).  Unearthing the seeds of marital distress: What nosotros have learned from married and remarried couples.  In 1000. J. Cox, & J. Brooks-Gunn (Eds.), Conflict and cohesion in families: Causes and consequences (pp. 51-85).  Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

This affiliate examines a longitudinal study on the causes of marital distress and the negotiation of disharmonize.  Remarried couples reported changed views on marriage as a result of their divorce, including increased cautiousness, pragmatism, and vigilance.

J. Pryor (Ed). (2008).  The international handbook of stepfamilies: Policy and do in legal, enquiry, and clinical environments.  Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

With 23 essays by more 40 international field specialists, this is an essential reference on the multifaceted subject area of stepfamilies and their challenges The subjects covered include social and cultural contexts, family dynamics, external influences, and legal concerns.

a) Financial Challenges

The following resources provide information on financial planning and educational activity related to stepfamilies, including the challenges of parents with children in two families.

Coleman, One thousand., & Ganong, L.H. (1989).  Financial direction in stepfamilies. Journal of Family and Economical Issues, 10, 217-232.

The financial practices of 105 remarried couples in stepfamilies and how these couples chose to manage their money compared to the practices in their previous marriage(s).  The study likewise explores how spouse relationships are impacted as well every bit parent-child relationships.

Leigh, South., & Clark, J. A. (2005).  Fiscal decision-making in stepfamilies.  MU Extension Publication GH 6603.

Assisting remarried couples with how to communicate about money and make decisions together, and offers strategies to try and strategies to avoid.  The article lists important questions remarrying couples should hash out in society to handle finances well together.

Pasley, Chiliad., Sandras, E., & Edmondson, Yard. East. (1994).  The effects of financial management strategies on quality of life in remarriage. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 15, 53-70.

Financial management behavior in 91 remarried couples.  The satisfaction and happiness of couples were compared across the different financial management strategies, simply found picayune departure betwixt couples.

  1. Couple Relationships

The resources below detail the relationship issues that arise in stepfamilies such as unrealistic expectations, intimacy barriers, and partner equity.

Buunk, B. P., & Mutsaers, W. (1999).  Equity perceptions and marital satisfaction in former and electric current marriage: A report among the remarried. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 16, 123-132.

This study of 290 remarried individuals on perception of overall equity in the relationship compares quondam and current marriages.  Results showed that there was more perceived inequity in the former spousal relationship.  Increased satisfaction amid individuals was associated with increased perceived equity in the electric current marriage.  Men'south satisfaction was more strongly associated with the caste of perceived reward in an inequitable relationship in the current wedlock.

Ganong, L., & Coleman, M. (2000).  Close relationships in remarried families. In C. Hendrick & S. Hendrick (Eds.), Handbook on Close Relationships (pp 155-168).  Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Examines remarriage stability, couple relationships, and parent-child relationships in stepfamilies.  Couples who form stepfamilies are at a higher risk of divorce than couples in their offset union.

Ganong, 50. H., & Coleman, M. (2004).  Stepfamily relationships: Development, dynamics, and interventions.  New York: Kluwer.

The various relationships inside and betwixt stepfamily households, through a cultural and historical point of view.  Contempo statistics bear witness that half of all marriages in the Usa are remarriages for one or both partners, and one third of children in the country will alive in a stepparent household before adulthood.

Golish, T. (2003).  Stepfamily communication strengths: Agreement the ties that bind. Human Advice Research, 29, 41-fourscore.

Interviews with ninety persons from xxx stepfamilies were used to examine communication strategies among stepfamilies of varying strength.  Results showed that strong stepfamilies spent time together equally a family, and used everyday talk, openness, advice of clear rules, engagement in problem solving, and promotion of a positive image of the not-custodial parent.

Knox, D., & Zusman, Chiliad. E. (2001).  Marrying a homo with "baggage": Implications for second wives. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 35(three/iv), 67-lxxx.

Analyzes questionnaires from second wives of husbands with children outside of their marriage to examine trends in marital happiness.  Results showed assumptions about the ex-wife and children were associated with lower marital happiness, increased thoughts about divorce, and regretting the decision to ally their married man.

  1. Parenting in Stepfamilies

The following resource examine aspects of parenting in stepfamilies, which is a mutual stressor on the couple relationship.  Issues such as the parent-child bond among biological and stride-parents, subject area, and parenting beliefs are examined in these resources.

Beer, Due west. (1989).  Strangers in the house: The earth of step siblings and one-half siblings.  Piscataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers.

Changes in American families over fourth dimension and how nontraditional and stepfamilies differ from other families.  It too includes an overview of sibling relationships and how these relationships fit into the larger family structure.

Bray, J. H., & Berger, Due south. H. (1993).  Developmental issues in stepfamilies research project: Family relationships and parent-kid interactions. Journal of Family Psychology, 7, 76-ninety.

Longitudinal study of family relationships  in nuclear and stepfamilies.  Results showed more family relationship difficulties for stepfamilies during the early on months of remarriage and approximately five years later on, when the children were early on adolescents.  Marital and family unit relationships predicted parent-child interaction.

Bray, J., & Kelly, J. (1998).  Stepfamilies: Beloved, marriage, and parenting in the first decade.  New York: Broadway.

Using data from a longitudinal study, stepfamilies are examined to determine how a stepfamily develops into a family unit of measurement, when stepfamilies are at risk, the tasks stepfamilies need to solve, and how to heal from a divorce.

Cissna, K. N., Cox, D. E., & Bochner, A. P. (1990).  The dialectic of marital and parental relationships within the stepfamily. Communication Monographs, 57, 44-61.

Communication in stepfamilies.  Results showed that couples' relational tasks include creating marital solidarity through direct advice with each other and with children about the priority of the marriage, and creating stepparent authority with stepchildren.

Claxton-Oldfield, S. (2000).  Deconstructing the myth of the wicked stepparent. Spousal relationship & Family Review, 30, 51-58.

Popular culture's negative portrayal of stepparents.  The authors suggest that the negative portrayal of stepparents can influence negative perceptions of stepparents in others and themselves and cause negative relationships between stepparents and stepchildren.

Dainton, Chiliad. (1993).  The myths and misconceptions of the stepmother identity: Descriptions and prescriptions for identity management. Family Relations, 42, 93-98.

Popular myths of step motherhood including the evil stepmother myth and the myth of instant love.  The author states that the stepmother myths take shown trivial signs of changing and, therefore, stepmothers may have continued identity challenges.

Deal, R. L., & Petherbridge, L. (2009). The smart stepmom: Practical steps to help you thrive! Bloomington, MN: Bethany Firm.

The stepmother'south role often is cryptic and tin conduct unrealistic expectations about the relationship and parenting.  This book answers women's common concerns and questions providing perspective and guidelines to help stepmothers and their families thrive.

Deal, R. Fifty. (2011).  The smart stepdad: Steps to help y'all succeed!  Bloomington, MN: Bethany House.

Communication for men navigating in a stepfamily, including how to connect with stepchildren, be a godly function model, discipline, deal with the biological dad, and keep the bond strong with one's new spouse.The Smart Stepdad provides essential guidelines to aid stepfathers not just survive but succeed as both dad and husband.

Fine, Thou. A., Coleman, M., & Ganong, 50. H. (1998).  Consistency in perceptions of the stepparent part among stepparents, parents and stepchildren. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 15, 810-828.

Using information from interviews with forty stepfamilies, this report examines the perceptions of the stepparent office.  Results show that stepparents and biological parents both perceive that the stepparent should and does play an active parental role.  Stepchildren are more than likely to report that stepparents should be less active in the parental role and be more of a friend.

Ganong, L. H., Coleman, M., & Jamison, T. (2011).  Patterns of stepchild – stepparent human relationship development. Periodical of Matrimony & Family, 73, 396-414.

Xxx-two stepdaughters and 17 stepsons participated in this grounded theory study of emerging adult stepchildren's perceptions about how relationships with their stepparents developed.  6 patterns of step-human relationship development emerged: accepting a stepparent every bit a parent, liking from the start, accepting with ambivalence, irresolute trajectory, rejecting, and coexisting.

MacDonald, Westward. Fifty., & DeMaris, A. (2002).  Stepfather-stepchild human relationship quality: The stepfather's demand for conformity and the biological begetter's involvement. Journal of Family Issues, 23, 121-137.

This study uses data from the National Survey of Families and Households to examine stepfather-stepchild relationship quality.  Results show that amongst children with highly involved biological fathers, an increase in interaction with the stepfather is related to decreasing stepparent-stepchild relationship quality, when a stepparent requests conformity to rules.  Among children with biological fathers with little or no input, the stepfather's demand for conformity has a positive association with stepparent-stepchild relationship quality.

Marsiglio, W. (2004).  When stepfathers claim stepchildren: A conceptual analysis. Periodical of Marriage and Family, 66, 22-39.

Using interviews with 36 stepfathers, this article examines backdrop related to stepfathers claiming their stepchildren and how stepfathers' perceptions of stepchildren can be influenced.  The author reports that stepfathers indicate that shared daily contact and practical involvement with the stepchild causes claiming attitudes to slowly increase.

Thomas, S. (2005).  2 happy homes: A working guide for parents and stepparents later divorce and remarriage.  Longmont, CO:  Springboard Publications.

Helps advise parents on how to bring new partners into the lives of children after divorce. Practical and specific ideas for parents to create happy stepfamily lives for their children are discussed, including common errors to avoid.  Specific communication is as well given for coparenting.

Thomson, E., Mosley, J., Hanson, T. L., & McLanahan, S. S. (2001).  Remarriage, cohabitation, and changes in mothering behavior. Periodical of Marriage and Family, 63, 370-380.

Using mother- and child-report data from the National Survey of Families and Households, mothering behavior in remarried and cohabiting couples is examined.  Mothers and children report less frequent use of harsh field of study by mothers in new partnerships compared with unmarried mothers.  Mothers and children differ on reports of supervision, depending on whether the mother remained in a relationship.  Children report better mother-child relationship with mothers who remained in a partnership.

Visher, E. B., Visher, J. S., & Pasley, K. (2003).  Remarriage families and stepparenting. In F.Walsh (Ed.), Normal family unit processes: Growing variety and complication (3rd ed., pp. 153-175).  New York: Guilford.

Characteristics of stepfamilies.  The authors find that successful stepfamilies take the differences and challenges that stepfamilies face up and requite themselves time to integrate the family unit.  The author posits that family members should understand that difficulties faced are non due to personal inadequacies; they are predictable in a stepfamily state of affairs.

Weaver, S. E., & Coleman, Thou. (2005).  A mothering but not a female parent role: A grounded theory study of the nonresidential stepmother role. Periodical of Social and Personality Relationships, 22, 477-497.

Roles of middle form stepmothers and bug related to them, including mothering just not female parent roles, other-focused roles, and outsider roles.  The authors report that the perception and experiences of motherhood, child behavior, and expectations influence how the stepmother conceptualizes her function.  Also reported is that stepmothers can encounter control and ambiguity issues and oft compare themselves to the children's biological mother when enacting stepparent roles.

  1. Former Spouses

The resources beneath detail the relationship between separated couples that are now remarried to other individuals.  Issues such as conflict and role expectations are examined.

Buunk, B. P., & Mutsaers, Due west. (1999).  The nature of the relationship between remarried individuals and sometime spouses and its bear on on marital satisfaction. Journal of Family Psychology, 13, 165-174.

Using a sample of 290 remarried individuals, this article examines how the relationship with a erstwhile spouse relates to marital satisfaction.  Results show that feelings of hostility were infrequent, merely more common than friendship or zipper.  Couples who did not accept children in the one-time human relationship or were more than highly educated were more likely to take a positive relationship with the former spouse.  Attachment to the former spouse was related to a subtract in marital satisfaction, particularly for wives and their husbands' zipper.

Schrodt, P. (2010).  Co-parental advice with nonresidential parents as a predictor of couples' relational satisfaction and mental health in stepfamilies.  Western Journal of Advice, 74,484-503.

This study tested the degree to which co-parental advice with nonresidential parents predicted couples' relational satisfaction and mental health in 127 stepfamily dyads.  Communication patterns between non-residential co-parents affected both satisfaction and mental good for you symptoms.

Weston, C. A., & Macklin, Eastward. D. (1990).  The relationship between former-spousal contact and remarital satisfaction in stepfather families. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, xiv(1/2), 25-47.

Using interviews with 60 couples in stepfather families, this written report examines the relationship between erstwhile-spouse contact and remarital satisfaction.  Results showed that when function expectations are agreed upon, increased wife contact with the old spouse is associated with increased remarital satisfaction.

IV. Research and Resources for Practitioners and Therapists Working with Stepfamilies

Family Therapy SessionIn the by, marriage and relationship didactics (MRE) resources were not specifically designed for stepfamilies. Some practitioners may use the same interventions and educational resources for stepfamilies that are developed for couples in first marriages/families (Robertson, Adler-Baeder, Collins, DeMarco, Fein, & Schramm, 2006).  However, the increased prevalence of stepfamilies and high level of need among these families has led to the evolution of many stepfamily-specific MRE tools. The resource in this section depict both the gaps and recent developments in resources, including stepfamily specific materials for practitioners serving these couples/families, and resources for remarried couples/stepfamilies themselves.

Adler-Baeder, F., & Higginbotham, B. (2004).  Implications of remarriage and stepfamily formation for spousal relationship teaching. Family Relations, 53, 448-458.

Reviews literature focusing on marriage education curricula as related to stepfamilies.  The authors written report that the bug within stepfamilies are not addressed in most matrimony education curricula they investigated, despite the loftier need for marriage education for stepfamilies.

Adler-Baeder, F., Robertson, A. & Schramm, D. (2010).  Conceptual framework for union education programs for stepfamilies with considerations for socioeconomic context. Union & Family Review, 46, 300-322.

Couples in stepfamilies face up unique challenges and are likewise at higher take a chance for dissolution, peculiarly in the context of lower economic resource.  Most electric current programs do not address the needs of these uniquely complex families.

Adler-Baeder, F., Erickson, Grand.,and Higginbotham, B. J. (2007).  Marriage education for stepcouples.The Forum for Family and Consumer Issues, 12 (1).

Prevalent bug associated with salubrious couple functioning in stepfamilies that would exist important to spousal relationship educators and practitioners.  Information covered includes implementation problems for programming, program content and learning objectives, and how to recruit both participants and good facilitators for a program.

Browning, South. W. (1994).  Treating stepfamilies: Alternatives to traditional family therapy. In Chiliad. Pasley & M. Ihnger-Tallman (Eds.), Stepparenting: Issues in theory, research, and practice (pp. 175-198).  Westport, CT: Greenwood.

Clinical approach to working with stepfamilies.  The writer notes that stepfamilies should not exist approached  in the same way as non-stepfamilies considering it creates confusion and inconsistent clinical results.

Browning, Southward. Due west. & Artelt, Due east. (2011).  Stepfamily therapy:  A 10 step clinical approach. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

A 10-stride model for intervening with stepfamilies in therapy.  The authors integrate clinically validated interventions within an original theoretical framework for stepfamily therapy.  The importance of extended family members is stressed, equally is the necessity of understanding and valuing racial, ethnic, and sexual diversity within stepfamilies.

Coleman, M. & Nickleberry, L. (2009).  An evaluation of the remarriage and stepfamily self-help literature. Family Relations, 58, 549-562.

This is a critique of postal service-1990 cocky-help books, intended every bit a resource for professionals working with stepfamilies.  Thirteen books were recommended for their clinical or empirical sources of information as well as applied and concrete communication for stepfamilies.

Counseling stepfamilies: Tools for your toolbox.

Counselors often experience overwhelmed by the ambivalence of remarriage and stepfamily relationships.  This video seeks to help professionals learn how to coach stepparents in their office, reduce stress, and increase positive exchanges in the family.

Cox, Ron. (2011).Afterward the divorce:  Treating co-parenting as a concern deal.  National Healthy Marriage Resource Center.

Strategies for wedlock and human relationship education practitioners, on helping parents adjust to and manage their new working relationship.

Cox, Ron. (2011). Using MRE skills to promote successful blended families.  National Healthy Marriage Resource Eye.

Covers challenges stepparents face in their marriages and strategies that tin help marriage and relationship education practitioners prepare couples to alloy their families together.

Crosbie-Burnett, M. (1992).  The interface between non-traditional families and education: Empowering parents and families. Family Science Review, 5, 81-92.

How non-traditional families are at a disadvantage in traditional teaching institutions because of outdated views on family life.  The author recommends modifying policies and procedures so children in these families take equal opportunities.

Duncan, S. F., & Dark-brown, Yard. (1992).  Renew: A program for building remarried family strengths. The Journal of Gimmicky Human Services, 73, 149-158.

A home-based program for remarried families.  In Renew,he authors recommend emphasizing the strengths instead of focusing on the problems that may arise in a remarried family.  A home-based program provides a more than private setting compared with a possibly more threatening group setting.

Giles-Sims, J., & Crosbie-Burnett, M. (1989).  Stepfamily research: Implications for policy, clinical interventions, and farther enquiry. Family Relations, 38, 19-24.

Selectively reviews the clinical and empirical literature on stepfamilies to identify work that has major implications for policymakers, service providers, clinicians, and researchers.  Articulate cases are made for encouraging remarriage preparation classes and for service provision changes likewise as for better developmental models of stepfamilies.

Gonzales, J. (2009).  Prefamily counseling: Working with blended families. Periodical of Divorce and Remarriage, fifty, 148-57.

A new model for blended family counseling.  Blended families often come together with petty preparation or agreement of what to expect, and many experience common problems that premarital counseling could assistance address.

Halford, K., Nicholson, J., and Sanders, M. (2007).  Couple communication in stepfamilies. Family Procedure, 46, 471-483.

Despite the fact that couple communication skills are stressed in near marriage and relationship educational activity (MRE) programs, this report demonstrates that stepfamily couples may have different needs relating to ealthy communication.  When compared to first-time married couples, stepfamily couples had lower rates of negative word and higher rates of withdrawal, which could signal an avoidance of sensitive topics due to doubt in the human relationship.  Authors propose that helping stepfamily couples address their commitment to the relationship, withdrawal and fears nigh dissolution of the human relationship, and address different parenting problems could be helpful in MRE programming.

Higginbotham, B., Skogrand, L., & Torres, E. (2010).  Stepfamily education: Perceived benefits for children.Periodical of Divorce and Remarriage, 51, 36-49.

From the results of interviews with twoscore parents and xx facilitators, this article explores ways in which stepfamily instruction benefits children.  The findings support educational efforts to strengthen stepfamilies and highlight the value of interventions that involve the entire family.

Kaplan, M., & Hennon, C. B. (1992).  Remarriage educational activity: The Personal Reflections Program. Family unit Relations, 41, 127-134.

Summary of a remarriage educational activity programme for those entering remarriage.  The authors believe that specific remarriage education programs are needed because of the increasing number of people in remarriage situations.  The plan teaches couples about role expectations and stress resulting from conflicts about roles.

Kirby, P. Thou. (2011) . Blended families in the over-l crowd. American Journal of Family Law .  25, twenty-26.

Unique features of creating a stepfamily after in life from, with attending to the potential legal decisions to be made.

Robertson, A., Adler-Baeder, F., Collins, A., DeMarco, D. (2006). Coming together the Needs of Married, Low-income Stepfamily Couples in Marriage Didactics Services: Concluding Study.  Administration for Children and Families, Office of Policy Research and Evaluation.

A conceptual framework for matrimony education for stepcouples, derived from enquiry, and an informal report with community educators targeting stepfamilies.  In improver, the framework suggests the consideration of several elements of plan service delivery and of conditions that exist at the individual, family, and community levels that influence service needs.

Leon, K., & Angst, Eastward. (2005).  Portrayals of stepfamilies in film: Using media images in remarriage education. Family Relations, 54, iii-23.

Topic: Examines the portrayals of stepfamilies in films from 1990 to 2003 for appropriate re-use in remarriage educational activity programs.  The authors annotation that stepfamilies were most ofttimes shown in a negative or mixed way.  The picture clips can be usefed in marriage education programs to illustrate family dynamics, generate discussion, create a shared language, and create new culture.

National Healthy Marriage Resources Center (2009). Recruiting and Serving Stepfamilies.  Webinar presented , June xxx, 2009.

Focuses on the challenges stepfamilies face and constructive strategies for tailoring marriage educational activity programs to come across the needs of stepfamilies.

Robertson, A., Adler-Baeder, F., Collins, A., DeMarco, D., Fein, D., & Schramm, D. (2006).  Coming together the Needs of Married, Low-income Stepfamily Couples in Marriage Education Services: Final Report.  Administration for Children and Families, Role of Planning, Research & Evaluation, Washington, DC.

A framework for promoting healthy marriage among stepfamilies.  Due to stepfamilies' unique situations, as compared with first marriages, the authors recommend that marriage didactics programs include elements such equally establishing a positive view of stepfamilies, navigating relationships with erstwhile partners, negotiating roles and rules, and utilizing financial direction skills.

Skogrand, L., Dansie, Fifty., Higginbotham, B., Davis, P., and Barrios-Bell, A.,  (2011).  Benefits of stepfamily education: I-yr post-plan. Spousal relationship & Family unit Review, 47, 149-163.

Addresses the lasting effects of stepfamily education by examining findings from qualitative interviews conducted 1 year after participants had attended a research-based stepfamily plan.

Visher, East. B., & Visher, J. S. (1996). Therapy with stepfamilies.  New York: Brunner/Mazel.

Investigates the characteristics and techniques of therapy with stepfamilies such as areas of difficulty, cocky-esteem interventions, relationship strengthening, psycho-didactics, negotiation, and techniques for working with children.

Visher, E. B., & Visher, J. S. (1997). Stepping together: Creating strong stepfamilies [Leader's manual]. Lincoln, NE: Stepfamily Association of America.

Topics for stepfamily grouping meetings, such as stepfamily myths, emotions, couple relationship strengthening, and working across households.

Webb, J. (2009).  Getting married (once again): Tips for blending families.  National Salubrious Marriage Resource Center.

Helps engaged parents develop strategies to avoid potential areas of disharmonize and sustain a good for you matrimony while co-parenting and combining families.

V. Stepfamily Marriage and Relationship Education Curricula

The Wellness Mode for Stepfamilies

Part of the skill-based Family Wellness curriculum, this handbook is an boosted resource for practitioners working with stepfamilies.  The concepts and skills presented in this Handbook are based on research on what works for families to be successful and, most specifically, for stepfamilies.

Smart Steps

This half-dozen-session enquiry-based educational curriculum is designed for remarried or partnering couples and their children.  It focuses on edifice couple and family strengths while addressing the unique needs and issues that face couples in stepfamilies.

VI. Resources for Composite Family unit Couples

There are a variety of community-based programs for couples who are creating a stepfamily.There are also on-line resources that respond commonly asked questions, provide additional resource, and highlight books that couples can use at home.  This department lists some of the available resources that include data on managing the couple human relationship in a stepfamily.

Website Resources:

Married With Baggage:

Information for stepfamilies on strategies to improve their relationships.   Information is available through workshops, blogs, support groups, therapy, and books.

National Stepfamily Resource Center:

A clearinghouse of information, providing enquiry and best practices for stepfamilies. Included are services, educational resources, frequently asked questions, and information nearly laws.  Find a costless interactive program that provides data on parenting, step parenting, and couple relationships hither.

Remarriage Works:

Topic: Manufactures, advice, and resource for footstep- and blended families.

Remarried with Children:

Topic: Manufactures, videos, newsletters, and support group information about stepfamilies.

Smart Pace Families:

Topic: Hundreds of manufactures, conference information, and a free eastward-magazine.

Stepfamily Foundation:

Topic: Data on how stepfamily members can develop successful relationships; certification in stepfamily counseling;and other trainings, books, and videos virtually stepfamily dynamics. Membership required for some resource.

Stepmom Magazine:

Topic: For stepmothers.  Information and advice from experts virtually topics such as wedlock, custody, parenting, and coping strategies is available in each issue.

Two Of Us:

Topic: Articles and videos for couples most their human relationship. Relevant articles for couples in or creating a composite family include:

Articles:

·         Building Strong Stepfamilies

·         Married (with Children)

·         Preparing for Remarriage

Videos:

·         How can nosotros connect as a couple in a stepfamily?

·         I'chiliad a new husband and a stepdad, now what?

·         I'k a new married woman and a stepmom, at present what?

Webb, J. (2009).Getting married (again): Tips for blending families.  National Healthy Union Resources Center.

Helps engaged parents develop strategies to avoid potential areas of disharmonize and sustain a healthy spousal relationship while co-parenting and combining families.

On-line Video Resources:

Communication for Blended Families:

Challenges of existence in a blended family and the most of import things for parents to remember when forming i.

The Best Recommendation for Remarriage Educational activity:

Remarried couples accept unique needs and bug to overcome.  Learn from a remarriage and stepfamily adept what resources are best for remarriages.

Blended Families 1 of 4:

Blended Families two of 4:

Blended Families iii of 4:

Blended Families 4 of iv:

This series of videos features an interview with an proficient talking near how to grade a healthy stepfamily, how to coparent well, and how to anticipate common problems stepfamilies face up.

Composite Families:

Composite families are a big part of today'south lodge.  Parents Tv explores how to successfully integrate two families to create 1 with happiness and harmony.

Blended Families:

Problems composite families encounter, and some of the tools bachelor to make this transition a successful one.  Information technology educates families that are experiencing challenges and feel that things are not equally easy as they idea they would exist.

Dr. Phil on Blended Families:

Dr. Phil speaks with an expert about the issues faced past blended families.

Dr Phil Uncensored: Blended Families.

Dr. Phil speaks to stepfamilies about having realistic expectations in blending families.

Helping Stepfamilies Avert Mis-Steps:

Tips on how stepfamilies can avoid mis-steps during the holidays.

The Scoop on Blended Families:

Realistic advice from teens who accept made their stepfamily situation piece of work for them.  Just like blending water ice cream ingredients to create an interesting new flavor, blending the personalities and lifestyles of 2 families takes know-how, experimenting, and patience.

Books and Articles

Bargain, R. L., & Olson, D. H. (2010). The remarriage checkup: Tools to help your marriage last.  Bethany House Publishers.

Topic: Advice for remarried couples on how to amend the strengths of the marriage based on the National Survey of Couples Creating Stepfamilies.  Research shows that couples that broke up during courting had significant difficulties in their relationship later matrimony.

Deal, R. L. (2002).The smart stepfamily. Bloomington, MN: Bethany House.

Solutions to bug stepfamilies face, such equally recognizing each family member'due south uniqueness, improving stepparent-stepchild relationships, communication with ex-spouses, and developing traditions.

Thomas, Southward. (2005).Two happy homes: A working guide for parents and stepparents after divorce and remarriage.  Longmont, CO:  Springboard Publications.

Helps suggest parents on how to bring new partners into the lives of children after divorce. Practical and specific ideas for parents to create happy stepfamily lives for their children are discussed, including common errors to avoid.  Specific advice is also given for coparenting.

Visher, Due east. B., & Visher, J. S. (1991). How to win as a stepfamily.  New York: Brunner/Mazel.

A guide for stepfamilies that addresses issues such every bit relationships with former spouses, grandparents, custody, and financial arrangements.

Stepfamilies: Strengthening Your Couple Relationship.  Family Development Fact Sheet. University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.

Tips for couples on advice, making time for the couple, and the importance of a strong couple relationship in a happy family.

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Source: http://www.healthymarriageinfo.org/resource-detail/stepfamilies-collection-by-topic/

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