Communication Studies, Department of

 

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

1-11-2017

Citation

Published in Journal of Divorce & Remarriage 58:1 (2017), pp. 29–43. doi: 10.1080/10502556.2016.1257904

Comments

Copyright © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Used by permission.

Abstract

This study explores the emotional and communicative profiles of young adults who have experienced a parental divorce and the emergence of a stepfamily to better understand influences on stepfamily satisfaction. Results of regression analyses indicate that strong negative emotions experienced at the time of the divorce are a negative predictor of current stepfamily satisfaction, even after controlling for age at the time of the divorce. In addition, level of open self-disclosure to a stepparent, although not parents, is a positive predictor of current stepfamily satisfaction. Finally, the extent to which the father has now fully explained the circumstances of the divorce is a positive predictor of current stepfamily satisfaction, whereas the extent to which mother has now fully explained the circumstances of the divorce is a negative predictor of current stepfamily satisfaction. These findings are discussed and future directions for research on stepfamily interaction and satisfaction are offered.

Share

COinS