Native American Stepfamilies: Children’s Expectations Concerning Their Residential Stepparents’ Behavior

Limb, Gordon E.; Cousin, Lauren Elise; Larkin, Zachary S.

doi:10.1080/01488376.2018.1532945

Cited by 6 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Choosing activities is easier when stepparents and stepchildren share interests (e.g., sports, music, computer games; Crohn, 2006; Ganong et al, 2018), but when they do not, letting the stepchild choose leisure‐time pursuits with stepparents enhances the likelihood they will enjoy themselves, making it easier for stepparents to get to know them because children are relaxed and interacting with the stepparent in a situation of low stress (Ganong at el., 1999). It also helps relationship‐building when stepchildren have some control over the pace at which these affinity‐overtures occur (Limb et al, 2020). Preferences for how rapidly and how often stepparents approach stepchildren to do things together may reflect individual differences in children's temperament and tolerance for interactions.…”

Section: Results: What Work In Stepparentingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The body of scholarship on step‐relationship development, conducted mainly in the past 2 decades, has yielded clear messages about what works . Scholars consistently find that stepparents who engage in affinity‐seeking behaviors more frequently are more successful at building emotionally close bonds with stepchildren than stepparents who engage in such behaviors less frequently or not at all (Agar et al, 2010; Allan et al, 2011; Baxter et al, 1999; Braithwaite et al, 2018; Bronstein et al, 1994; Bzostek, 2008; Cartwright et al, 2009; Crohn, 2006, 2010; Ganong et al, 1999, 2018, 2019, 2020; Golish, 2003; Hetherington, 1987; Ivanova & Kalmijn, 2020; Jensen & Harris, 2017; Jensen & Pace, 2016; King et al, 2015; Kinniburgh‐White et al, 2010; Limb et al, 2020; Maier et al, 2019; Marsiglio, 2004; Metts et al, 2013, 2017, Nuru & Wang, 2014; Salem et al, 1998; Schenck et al, 2009; Schrodt, 2006, 2016; Schrodt et al, 2008; Schwartz & Finley, 2006; Speer & Trees, 2007; Stern, 1982; Waldron et al, 2018; Weaver & Coleman, 2005; White & Gilbreath, 2001; Willetts & Maroules, 2004). When affinity‐seeking and non–affinity‐seeking stepparents have been compared in investigations, affinity‐seekers consistently report closer emotional bonds with stepchildren (e.g., Ganong et al, 1999; Hetherington, 1987).…”

Section: Results: What Work In Stepparentingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unlike voluntary relationships in which both parties may be similarly motivated to become friends and build a closer bond, the involuntary nature of many early stepparent-stepchild ties may mean that stepparents are more motivated to befriend stepchildren than the converse. The receptivity of stepchildren to stepparents' efforts is therefore a critically important element in the building of step-kin bonds that work (Allan et al, 2011;Baxter et al, 1999;Braithwaite et al, 2018;Bronstein et al, 1994;Brown et al, 1990;Cartwright et al, 2009;Ganong et al, 1999Ganong et al, , 2011King et al, 2015;Kinniburgh-White et al, 2010;Limb et al, 2020;Michaels, 2006;Schrodt et al, 2016). Hetherington (1987Hetherington ( , 1993Hetherington et al, 1992) found that stepfathers made attempts to befriend their stepchildren early in the remarriage, but 2 years into the marriage, many had stopped engaging in those attempts because of nonresponsive stepchildren.…”

Section: Indirect Relationship-building Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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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Section: Results: What Work In Stepparentingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Results: What Work In Stepparentingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Indirect Relationship-building Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effective stepparenting: Empirical evidence of what works

et al. 2021

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“…The lack of attention to racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual diversity in stepfamilies is troubling—researchers must do better to address the perpetual centering of White family experiences in this literature. This is particularly important given recent evidence that suggests that what we know to be true for White stepfamilies may not hold for Black, Hispanic, or Indigenous stepfamilies (Burton & Hardaway, 2012; Crosbie‐Burnett & Lewis, 1993; Cross, 2020; Limb et al, 2020). For example, the very notion that family structure is consequential to child well‐being appears to be true primarily for White youth (Cross, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

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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“…Recent research with Native American stepfamilies has focused on stepfamily closeness and adjustment as well as children's expectations of parental behavior (e.g., Ward, Limb, Higbee, & Haueter, ). Specifically, Limb, Cousin, and Larkin () found stepchildren who identify as solely Native American may respond negatively to stepparent warmth and may question parental leadership. In comparison, children identifying as multiracial Native American reported higher stepfamily quality even when their expectations of the stepparent where unmet.…”

Section: Moving the Stepfamily Education Field Forwardmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efforts to Design, Implement, and Evaluate Community‐Based Education for Stepfamilies: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Adler‐Baeder

Higginbotham

2020

Family Relations

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Efforts to Design, Implement, and Evaluate Community-Based Education for Stepfamilies: Current Knowledge and Future DirectionsStepfamilies are prevalent and have increased in numbers over the past several decades in the United States. Indications are that these families may experience enhanced vulnerabilities and inequities related to relational, psychological, and physical health outcomes; thus, they represent an important target population for family life educators. Efforts have been made to develop detailed, research-informed conceptual frameworks to guide best practices for stepfamily education and a small body of evaluation research has tested these guidelines. Studies of stepfamily education, particularly in the past decade and a half, provide some information on potential benefits of stepfamily education. In addition, information is provided by formative evaluations of program implementation processes that enhance recruitment and retention, particularly for Latinx stepfamilies. Suggestions for future work center on attention to the limited advancements in stepfamily research and program development and efforts to better meet the needs of diverse types of stepfamilies based on relationship type, social address, culture, and developmental context.

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Native American Stepfamilies: Children’s Expectations Concerning Their Residential Stepparents’ Behavior

Cited by 6 publications

References 29 publications

Effective stepparenting: Empirical evidence of what works

Effective stepparenting: Empirical evidence of what works

Effective parenting in stepfamilies: Empirical evidence of what works

Efforts to Design, Implement, and Evaluate Community‐Based Education for Stepfamilies: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

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