Parents’ perceptions of cohesion in diverse stepfamilies
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective The goal was to assess how cohesive parents perceive their stepfamilies to be and to explain how cohesion relates to aspects of stepfamily structure. Background Cohesion is important to study as it can bolster the well‐being of stepfamily members. Prior research has mostly considered relationship qualities as predictors of cohesion. Little is known about differences in cohesion by family structure (i.e., whether parents have a shared child, whether the stepfamily is simple or complex, and in which households the respective children live). Method We analyzed data from a sample of Dutch divorced parents (N = 3,056) using linear regression. Results Parents perceived their stepfamilies as very cohesive. Having a shared child with the current partner was associated with higher perceptions of cohesion, whereas having a stepchild was associated with lower perceptions of cohesion. Non‐ or part‐time residency of parents' biological child from their previous relationship or their potential stepchild was associated with lower perceptions of cohesion. Cohesion was lowest in complex stepfamilies in which parents' biological children and potential stepchildren followed nonaligning residence arrangements. Conclusion Aspects of stepfamily structure appear to affect perceptions of stepfamily cohesion. These findings imply that well‐being of stepfamily members in complicated stepfamily structures might be lower. Implications To understand stepfamily cohesion and design therapeutic approaches for stepfamilies, it is crucial to look beyond relationship qualities and explicitly consider the role of stepfamily structure.
Source: Family Relations
DOI: 10.1111/fare.13115
Institutions: Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, Utrecht University
Language: English
Subfield: Demography
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,520
OpenAlex ID: W4404412482