Problem Areas in Stepfamilies: Cohesion, Adaptability, and the Stepfather-Adolescent Relationship

In this study 28 stepfamilies were compared with 28 first-marriage families on family functioning and the quality of the stepfather-adolescent relationship. As hypothesized, ratings by the mother, father or stepfather, and adolescent indicated lower family cohesion and adaptability and lower quality in the male parent-adolescent relationship in stepfamilies. Quality of the mother-adolescent relationship and marital satisfaction did not differ by family type. Length of remarriage, amount and quality of contact with the biological father, and adolescent gender were not related to stepfamily functioning. Implications of these findings are discussed.