Bridging the Gap: Clinical Applications of Research Findings on the Spouse and Stepparent Roles in Remarriage

Do Stepparents Experience More Parental Antagonism Than Biological Parents? A Test of Evolutionary and Socialization Perspectives

“…In this study, even after controlling for demographic factors, stepparents reported higher levels of parental resentment and parental jealousy than biological parents, thereby contributing support to the evolutionary account of stepparent-child relationships. This finding supports past findings that stepparents typically report less positive feelings for children than do biological parents (Marlowe, 1999a;Pasley et al, 1993) and the supposition drawn from filicide and homicide research that victim-directed hostility and resentment are higher for stepparents than biological parents (Daly & Wilson, 1994). Furthermore, this finding offers empirical weight to the long-standing supposition in clinical and popular literature (Papernow, 1993;Visher & Visher, 1988) that stepparents experience more jealousy of their stepchildren than do biological parents.…”

“…For example, in Ohio, Duberman (1975) found that only 53% of stepfathers and 25% of stepmothers felt any "parental feelings" toward their stepchildren. Pasley, Dollahite, and Ihinger-Tallman (1993) also found that overall American stepfathers showed less warmth and affection than biological fathers. Similarly, among the Hadza of Tanzania, Marlowe (1999a) found that stepfathers reported significantly less positive feelings for stepchildren than biological children.…”

Premarital Predictors of Remarital Quality: Implications for Clinicians

“…However, mediating and moderating variables affecting the relationship between stepchildren and remarital quality need to be addressed. The dynamics of interaction around child-related issues offer a key for understanding remarital quality (Pasley, Dollahite, & Ihinger-Tallman, 1993). Remarital quality appears to be most negatively affected by unsatisfying stepchild-stepparent relationships .…”

Factors Affecting the Perceived Helpfulness of Therapy with Stepfamilies

“…Such strategies are recommended to clinicians working with stepfamilies (see as examples Pasley & Dollahite, 1993;Visher & Visher, 1988). Perceptiveness to educational interventions may be best fostered by same-sex pairing of client and therapist since the therapist is better able to identify with and understand the client's experience (or the client believes this to be so), a finding that holds true especially for female clients (Jones et al, 1987).…”