Intrapsychic and interpersonal factors related to adolescent psychological well-being in stepmother and stepfather families.

Using transition theory, the authors surveyed 78 adolescents from stepmother and stepfather families. Simultaneous multiple regression analysis indicated that one interpersonal factor (Communication With Stepparent) and one intrapsychic factor (Self-Esteem) were the best predictors of adolescent well-being. When adolescents from stepfather families were analyzed separately from adolescents from stepmother families, Communication With the Stepfather was found to be the only significant predictor of well-being of adolescents in stepfather families, and Communication With the Custodial Parent and Self-Esteem were the only significant predictors of adolescent well-being in stepmother families. Analysis of parent and stepparent perceptions indicated no association with adolescent well-being.