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THE IMPACT OF AN EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORT GROUP FOR STEPFAMILY COUPLES
Abstract
This research investigated the effectiveness of a workshop procedure designed to provide information and support for stepfamily couples. It also attempted to ascertain the impact of this workshop on the couple's level of marital adjustment. Couple's ages, children's ages, family size and variant stepfamily types were investigated as influencing factors. Lastly, the sample's reported problem areas were compared to those cited in the literature. Seventeen variant type stepfamily couples with children 18 years of age or younger living in the home participated in a four week workshop. The four 2 1/2 hour sessions included a variety of large and small group activities designed to provide information and promote discussion and sharing regarding living in stepfamilies. The topics covered were: similarities and differences between nuclear and stepfamilies, recoupling, children in stepfamilies, and developing a plan for cooperative stepfamilies. The control group consisted of 17 matched variant stepfamily type couples. The effects of the workshop were determined by a pre and post administration of The Stepfamily Knowledge Test and the short form of the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test and the single administration of a Stepfamily Problem Scale and the Workshop Evaluation Form. It was hypothesized the workshop would increase both the level of factual information and of marital adjustment. Subjects participating in the workshop did increase the level of information over that of the control group. However, the level of marital adjustment did not increase significantly for either group over the four week interval. Family size, with smaller being better, was the only significant influencing factor. Discipline and children were reported to be the number one problem area. Finances and visitation were ranked as the number two and three problem areas. The participants reported the workshop to be beneficial. They found the number one benefit to be the development of an awareness of others experiencing the same difficulties. The second rated benefit was the discussion of factual information. Recoupling was ranked as the most beneficial content topic. Findings were taken to indicate that workshop procedures as designed were effective in increasing factual information. However, as designed, the workshop did not produce a measurable increase in the level of marital adjustment. Implications for developers of workshops and future research are discussed.
Subject Area
Social studies education
Recommended Citation
FRIESEN, RUBY MARIE KEATING, "THE IMPACT OF AN EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORT GROUP FOR STEPFAMILY COUPLES" (1981). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8120161.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8120161