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Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine factors contributing to the success of the stepfamily, and from this information to draw a profile of the successful stepfamily. The 22 families consisted of a biological mother, her adolescent child, and her husband (the stepfather), totaling 66 subjects. Other criteria for the selection of subjects were: (1) A rating of average or above on a stepfamily success scale by each member of the spousal couple; (2) The spousal couple's marriage in 1983 in Douglas County, Nebraska; (3) A second marriage for the wife with the first marriage ending in divorce; (4) A first or second marriage for the husband with any previous marriage ending in divorce; (5) The child's chief residence in the home of the spousal couple; (6) All subjects to be Caucasian.
In the course of the data collection, there were changes in the success ratings by three spousal couples. These data were analyzed separately, resulting in two groups of subjects--Families with Consistent Ratings of Success and Families with Conflicting Ratings of Success.
Independent variables were sex of subject and family position (e.g. mother, husband, child). Dependent variables were measures of dyadic adjustment, family communication, family strengths, family satisfaction, family adaptation and cohesion, emotional make-up, and social desirability.
Results of the study were interpreted in terms of the insider (subject's)/outsider (investigator's) view (Olson, 1977) and with emphasis on the Families with Consistent Ratings of Success. These subjects fell within the norms for all standardized measures that were used which indicated normal-functioning families. A significant difference was found between subjects' current perceptions of their families and their ideal versions of their families for the mothers, stepfathers, and adolescents. Spousal couples were characterized as affectionate, whimsical, committed to the marriage, and stable. While the subjects accepted their stepfamily status, they also emphasized their family as a unit not unlike the nuclear family. The most important factors in the success of the stepfamily seemed to be love, communication, and compatibility.
