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Stepparent Strategies for Relationship Formation and Adolescent Well-being

Kuryluk, Amanda D
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1544097219879431

Abstract Details

2018, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Psychology.
Transitioning into a stepfamily is often associated with poorer adolescent wellbeing. Qualitative research suggests that strategies used by stepparents for forming relationships with their stepchildren influences stepchildren’s adjustment; however, there are no quantitative studies examining stepparent strategies. To address this limitation, this study aimed to develop and provide initial validation for a scale to measure stepparent strategies for relationship formation with their stepchildren, to examine the associations between the stepparent strategies and adolescent wellbeing during the initial stages of stepfamily development, and to examine which stepparent strategies were most strongly associated with outcomes. Participants were 156 stepparents who completed an online survey of their parenting behavior, stepchild wellbeing, and relationship satisfaction with their stepchildren. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a two factor structure: Authority Strategies and Involvement Strategies. The Involvement Strategies and Authority Strategies subscales were both positively associated with stepparent-stepchild relationship satisfaction. There was an interaction between Authority Strategies and Involvement Strategies for internalizing symptoms, such that Authority Strategies was positively associated with internalizing symptoms only at low levels of Involvement Strategies. Involvement Strategies was negatively associated with externalizing symptoms, but no association between the Authority Strategies subscale and externalizing symptoms was observed. When considered simultaneously, the Involvement Strategies subscale was more strongly associated with outcomes than the Authority Strategies subscale. These findings highlight the importance of stepparents being involved with, talking to, and supporting their stepchildren during the initial stages of stepfamily development.
Sarah Whitton, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Farrah Jacquez, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Kristen Jastrowski Mano, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
67 p.
Psychology
stepparent; stepfamily; adolescent wellbeing

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kuryluk, A. D. (2018). Stepparent Strategies for Relationship Formation and Adolescent Well-being [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1544097219879431

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kuryluk, Amanda. Stepparent Strategies for Relationship Formation and Adolescent Well-being. 2018. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1544097219879431.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kuryluk, Amanda. "Stepparent Strategies for Relationship Formation and Adolescent Well-being." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1544097219879431

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1544097219879431
256
© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.