Adjustment and Satisfaction of Parents

This study compared the relative adjustment and satisfaction of three differing groups of parents. An extensive phone interview assessing a number of dimensions of well being (anxiety, depression, child problems, marital satisfaction, and family satisfaction) was administered to 154 parents from intact families, 28 single parents, and 28 remarried parents. Results indicated that single parents were significantly less satisfied and less well adjusted than their counterparts from first marriages and remarriages but that there were no differences on any dimensions between the latter two groups. These findings are discussed with reference to existing literature, and suggestions for future research are made.