Stepfamilies: Redefining the Family

This study of 29 nonclinical stepfamilies with custodial adolescent stepchildren examines stepfamily cohesion and adaptability, the process of revising basic assumptions about family life, and the development of stepfamily identity. The stepfamilies reported low to moderate levels of cohesion and moderate to high levels of adaptability, both of which were associated with stepfamily, but not marital, satisfaction. Stepfamily cohesion was lower than that of nuclear families in the same life cyc/e stage, while adaptability was higher.