Sex Differences in Stepchildren's Reports of Stepfamily Functioning

This study examined sex differences in stepchildren's reports of stepfamily functioning. Participants included 513 stepchildren from 4 different states. Results of a 2 (stepson vs. stepdaughter) × 2 (stepfather vs. stepmother) factorial MANCOVA revealed no significant interaction effect, though multivariate main effects emerged for both sex of stepchild and primary stepparent after controlling for the effects of time. Stepsons reported less stepfamily involvement among family members than stepdaughters, and stepchildren who identified a stepfather as their primary stepparent reported less family dissension and avoidance, and more family involvement and expressiveness than those who identified a stepmother.