Twelve biological parents with one or more adolescents were interviewed about their experiences prior to and subsequent to step-family formation. Phases preceding stepfamily formation (divorce or death of spouse, single parenting, and dating) were found to influence the parent's subsequent experience. For example, parents reported feeling a great deal of loss and stress that was not alleviated in the new family as well as a decreased fear of being on their own should the stepfamily break up. After stepfamily formation, two global themes describe the experience of parents: (1) shock and disappointment due to deeply imbedded myths and expectations about normative families; and (2) divided loyalties. A model of stress in the stepfamily life cycle is applied to the results.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Arnaut et al. (2000) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: