Childrearing in stepfamilies: Empirical answers about “what works”

Ganong, Lawrence H.; Coleman, Marilyn; Sanner, Caroline; Berkley, Steven

doi:10.1111/fare.12634

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…We explored relationship development among half‐ and stepsiblings, illuminating the perspectives of younger half‐siblings and exploring how stepsiblings manage conflict and develop close ties (Ganong, Landon, et al, 2022; Landon et al, 2022; Sanner, Russell, et al, 2018). In a series of projects, we conducted systematic reviews of the literature about what works in stepfamilies, distilling research evidence about actions employed by parents and stepparents that are linked to children's positive outcomes (Ganong et al, 2022a, 2022b, 2022c, 2022d; Sanner et al, 2022).…”

Section: Part Ii: Professional Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Studying stepfamilies, surfacing secrets: A reflection on the private motivations behind efforts to humanize family complexity

Sanner

2023

J of Family Theo & Revie

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Feminist family scholars have long called for greater transparency of the partial perspectives embedded within family science. In this paper, I employ feminist reflexive autoethnography to unpack the private motivations that guide my research on family complexity. Using critical storytelling, I trace the personal developments that led to a research program on structurally complex familiesfamilies shaped and reshaped by divorce, separations, repartnerships, and remarriages. I explore my commitments to naming the invisible, embracing the messy, and ultimately, humanizing the complicated and meaningful emotions and relationships in families navigating structural changes. I draw upon personal, embodied experiences to theorize about issues and phenomena that have yet to be named in the (step)family scholarship. Finally, I invite others to heed the calls of feminist scholars whose work invites us to consider how private experiences can be leveraged to generate new insights into the complexities of family and social life.

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Section: Part Ii: Professional Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Studying stepfamilies, surfacing secrets: A reflection on the private motivations behind efforts to humanize family complexity

Sanner

2023

J of Family Theo & Revie

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“…The sampling strategy, inclusion criteria, and coding and analytic methods for this project may be found in Ganong et al’s (2021a) overview of the What Works in Childrearing in Stepfamilies Project. We identified 37 studies that included at least one finding about effective parental childrearing in stepfamilies.…”

Section: Study Characteristics Of Research On Effective Parenting In ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effective parenting in stepfamilies: Empirical evidence of what works

et al. 2022

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Objective The purpose of this study was to examine research evidence about effective childrearing in stepfamilies (i.e., parenting practices that contribute to children's physical, cognitive, and emotional well‐being). Background Stepfamilies are increasingly common. Studies show that children in stepfamilies tend to be at higher risk for negative outcomes than children in first‐married biological‐parent families. As research on stepfamilies has expanded, researchers have made strides in identifying parenting practices that promote positive outcomes for children in stepfamilies. Method We reviewed 37 studies that contained empirical evidence of effective parenting by biological or adoptive parents of children in stepfamilies. Results Researchers have identified numerous actions employed by parents that are linked to children's positive outcomes. Effective parenting practices fall broadly into five domains: (a) maintaining close parent–child bonds, (b) establishing appropriate parent–child communication boundaries, (c) exercising parental control, (d) supporting stepparent–stepchild relationship development, and (e) facilitating stepfamily cohesion. Conclusions Effective childrearing in stepfamilies involves carefully managing competing family needs, such as the need to balance shared family time with one‐on‐one parent–child time or the need to establish open parent–child communication boundaries in some areas but closed boundaries in others. Implications Parents have available to them a number of empirically supported action items linked to child well‐being in stepfamilies.

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“…The sampling strategy, inclusion criteria, and coding and analytic methods for this project may be found in our overview of the What Works in Childrearing in Stepfamilies Project (Ganong et al, in press). Of 119 studies in the larger project that contained findings related to what works in stepfamily childrearing, we identified 67 studies that included at least one finding specific to effective childrearing of stepchildren by stepparents.…”

Section: Study Characteristics Of Research On Effective Stepparentingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effective stepparenting: Empirical evidence of what works

et al. 2021

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Objective We sought to identify research evidence about stepparents' childrearing behaviors that contribute to stepchildren's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well‐being to draw best practices guidelines for stepfamily interventions. Background Stepparents' relationships with stepchildren are important predictors of individual, relational, and stepfamily well‐being and effective family functioning. Most researchers have examined problems in step‐relationships, but knowing what stepparents do that works in helping their stepchildren develop can help inform professionals who support and educate stepfamily members. Method We analyzed the results of 67 research studies containing empirical evidence of effective childrearing of stepchildren by stepparents to extract evidence‐based statements about what stepparents do that “works” to enhance the positive development of stepchildren. Results We found that researchers examined two broad topics: (a) developing positive stepparent–stepchild relationships, and (b) developing clear roles for stepparents. Conclusions On the basis of this review, we found that stepparents developed close relationships with stepchildren by spending time together, engaging in one‐on‐one activities, having fun together, working together, caregiving, giving tangible support, advocating for stepchildren, communicating positive messages, conveying vulnerability, talking every day, and leaving discipline to parents early in relationships. A variety of stepparent roles are effective, if they meet stepfamily members' needs. Flexibility in role performance is linked to more satisfying relationships. Stepchildren's receptivity to stepparents is also important in effective stepparenting. Implications Family professionals can help stepparents strategize about engaging in relationship‐building behaviors tailored for their stepchildren. Family professionals also can assist stepfamilies negotiate roles for stepparents that are accepted by all stepfamily members.

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Childrearing in stepfamilies: Empirical answers about “what works”

Cited by 10 publications

References 30 publications

Studying stepfamilies, surfacing secrets: A reflection on the private motivations behind efforts to humanize family complexity

Studying stepfamilies, surfacing secrets: A reflection on the private motivations behind efforts to humanize family complexity

Effective parenting in stepfamilies: Empirical evidence of what works

Effective stepparenting: Empirical evidence of what works

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