RESUMEN

Stepfamily relationships remain important over the life course to both children and parents. Unfortunately, limitations in availability of longitudinal data that include useful measures of stepfamily relations remain, thereby scholars must rely mostly on cross-sectional examinations. As a way to more rigorously test some of the mixed cross-sectional findings related to the links among stepcouple stability and parent-adult child relationships (closeness, involvement) for three parent-child subsystems (mother-child, father-child, stepparent-child), we used an alternative modeling strategy to test three plausible models. Multiple group analyses also were used to compare associations for stepmother and stepfather families. Stepfamilies (N = 330) from the National Survey of Families and Households with data from both adult children and primary respondents (resident parent or stepparent) were included. All three models fit the data. The best-fitting model suggests the most probable order of association is that parental involvement is associated with parent-child closeness which, in turn, is associated with stepcouple stability. Results also suggest that multiple parent-child relationships and stepcouple relationship stability are generally positively linked for both stepmother and stepfather households, although some differences emerged. Taken together, findings underscore the influence of cross-household stepfamily relationships even when children are adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Asunto(s)

Hijos Adultos/psicología , Divorcio/psicología , Relaciones Familiares/psicología , Adaptación Psicológica , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Composición Familiar , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Modelos Psicológicos , Relaciones Padres-Hijo , Responsabilidad Parental/psicología , Adulto Joven

RESUMEN

A substantial proportion of unmarried mothers with young children live with new partners (stepfathers), and the stability of these unions is important to outcomes for mothers and children. This study examined effects of both step- and biological fathers' co-parenting, parenting, and financial contributions on union stability among mothers and stepfathers. Data were from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 370), and the sample included mothers with 3-year-old children who were mostly unmarried and low-income. Results from discrete-time event history analysis indicated that mothers' residential unions with stepfathers were more stable when stepfathers were working and less stable when biological fathers paid formal child support. Results from interactions in the model showed that differences in the likelihood of dissolution between working and nonworking stepfathers were greater when stepfathers had more supportive co-parenting relationships with mothers and when stepfathers engaged in activities with the child more often. Findings suggest that economic contributions of both biological and stepfathers affect the stability of mother-stepfather residential unions, and stepfathers' co-parenting and parenting contributions may provide additional protection against union dissolution, particularly when stepfathers are working. Prevention and intervention programs could benefit these fragile families by attending to economic contributions of both fathers and stepfathers and helping stepfathers develop roles as co-parents and parents in this context. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Asunto(s)

Familia/psicología , Padre/psicología , Madres/psicología , Responsabilidad Parental/psicología , Adolescente , Adulto , Niño , Custodia del Niño , Protección a la Infancia/psicología , Preescolar , Relaciones Familiares/psicología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ajuste Social , Apoyo Social , Factores Socioeconómicos

RESUMEN

This study examined the association between paternal multiple partner fertility (MPF; having children with two or more partners) and indicators of environmental chaos (partnership instability, residential instability, work stability, material hardship, and perceived social support) among unmarried, non-resident fathers. Survey data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 873) were used to compare unmarried non-resident fathers who experienced MPF to those who had children with one partner. Results show that paternal MPF is associated with most indicators of environmental chaos (greater partnership instability, residential instability, work instability, material hardship), but not social support. Results suggest that fathers who experience MPF face challenges beyond those of other non-resident fathers. Policies and interventions should address aspects of instability and hardship that are unique to paternal MPF in order to encourage fathers' positive contributions to children and families. Directions for future research are discussed.