A Model of the Remarried Family

Abstract

The focus of this paper is on the tension and dilemmas that are relatively common in remarried families. The document begins with laying a foundation that, indeed, tension and dilemmas are common in social relations as well as in first married families. The paper then continues to synthesize some of the literature on remarried families to develop a model that identifies seven dilemmas: nomic, authority, family career, bonding, intergenerational, societal boundary and the divorce chain.     

Marital Quality in Remarriage: A Review of Methods and Results

Marital quality in remarriages remains an important construct worthy of scientific inquiry—especially considering the rate at which remarriages end in divorce. The purpose of this critical review was to focus on the factors that affect marital quality within the remarried dyad specifically. Special emphasis was placed on the identification of how well authors defined their construct of interest and applied and used an appropriate operational definition, their procedural method, and their findings.     

Strengths of Remarried Families

This paper focuses on remarried families' perceptions of their family strengths, marital satisfaction and their adjustment to the remarried situation. The sample was composed of both husbands and wives in 80 remarried families where at least one of the marital partners had been previously married. In all cases children were living in the home. Results of the study indicated that although the step-families did not deny they had difficulties and most would like to make some changes in their relationships, their scores on the measurements used in the study were high. Findings are suggestive of the dysfunctionality of continuing to define the remarried family as less desirable than those families who are once-married, for a supportive environment was revealed to be the most important predictor of perceptions of family strength and success among this sample of remarried families.     

Strengths of Remarried Families

This paper focuses on remarried families' perceptions of their family strengths, marital satisfaction and their adjustment to the remarried situation. The sample was composed of both husbands and wives in 80 remarried families where at least one of the marital partners had been previously married. In all cases children were living in the home. Results of the study indicated that although the step-families did not deny they had difficulties and most would like to make some changes in their relationships, their scores on the measurements used in the study were high. Findings are suggestive of the dysfunctionality of continuing to define the remarried family as less desirable than those families who are once-married, for a supportive environment was revealed to be the most important predictor of perceptions of family strength and success among this sample of remarried families.     

Communication During Conflict: Differences Between Individuals in First and Second Marriages

This study used self-report measures to (a) evaluate differences between first-married and remarried individuals' patterns of conflictual communication, and (b) compare remarried individuals' perceptions of how they communicated around similar conflictual issues relative to their former marriage. Few communication differences were reported between the 64 first-married and 64 remarried participants; however, significantly higher mutual avoidance and withholding scores were reported by the remarried sample. The remarried sample also provided retrospective reports that indicated (a) increased constructive communication, (b) decreased demand-withdraw, and (c) decreased avoidance and withholding in their current remarriage relative to their former marriage. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.     

Marital Satisfaction in Turkish Remarried Families: Marital Status,Stepchildren, and Contributing Factors

This study aimed to compare marital satisfaction among those of different marital status (first-married, postdivorce remarried, and postbereavement remarried) based on gender; to investigate the effect of decision of divorce on marital satisfaction of postdivorce remarried individuals; to examine the effect of type of death on marital satisfaction of postbereavement remarried individuals; and to examine the effect of stepchildren on marital satisfaction of remarried individuals. It was also intended to investigate the predictive power of demographic and contextual variables on marital satisfaction in different households. The Dyadic Adjustment Scale and an information form were administered to 116 first-married and 223 remarried individuals. To test the hypotheses of the study, analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and stepwise multiple regression analysis were performed. Results revealed that there was no significant marital satisfaction difference in terms of marital status. Remarried individuals with residential stepchildren had lower marital satisfaction than those with nonresidential stepchildren and those without stepchildren. For first-married individuals, length of marriage and income predicted marital satisfaction. For postdivorce remarried individuals, gender and presence of mutual children were predictors. For postbereavement remarried individuals, length of current marriage and income were significant predictors. For those with stepchildren, only residence of stepchildren significantly predicted marital satisfaction. The findings of the study were discussed in the light of relevant literature.     

Relationships Between the Formerly Married

Two hundred thirty two remarried couple members supplied information on their relationships with their own and with their mates' former spouses. Discriminant analysis was used to identify characteristics differentiating between those with continuing relationships and those without, and between those having more and less positive ex-spousal relationships. These differentiating characteristics were found to be quite different for husbands and wives in respect to relationships with their own former mate, but not in respect to relationships with mates' former spouse. The findings are interpreted in terms of the contrasting situations of remarried mothers and fathers.     

The Impact of Parental Remarriage on Children

Abstract

A meta-analysis of 61 studies was undertaken to determine the impact of parental remarriage on the academic achievement and psychological well-being of children, of which the vast majority were adolescents. Separate analyses were done on studies that did and did not use sophisticated controls in their analyses. Comparisons were made between children from remarried versus intact families as well as children from remarried and divorced or widowed single-parent families. Children from remarried family structures achieved academic levels that were generally more than two-tenths of a standard deviation lower than children from intact families. Children from remarried families also achieved somewhat lower levels than children from corresponding single-parent family structures. The difference between children from remarried families and children from intact families was nearly two- tenths of a standard deviation for measures of psychological well-being, for studies that did not use sophisticated controls and was somewhat less for studies that did use sophisticated controls. The significance of these results is discussed, doi: 10.1300/J002v40n04_05     

Stepfamily Assessment

The increase in the number of stepfamilies in our soci- ety is reflected in the high number of stepfamilies requesting help in mental health facilities and social agencies. The rationale for developing a model for assessing remarried fam- ilies comes from an awareness of the complexities of remarried fam- ilies and of b e difficulty therapists have in assessing and organizing all relevant information. We do not imply any particular method to assess the families; we are simply suggesting a format which needs to be in the mind of the therapist when interviewing the family or a family member. Our model emphasizes particular aspects of remarried family life that play a crucial role in the successful adjustment of the remarried family, such as the resolution of the previous relationship, the influ- ence of the outside parent, the co-parental relationship, the mobility of the children between households, and the integration of the new partner.     

The Effect of Children's Family Type on Teachers' Stereotypes

The main purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' stereotypic perceptions of the effects of different family types on the functioning of children. Seventy-six Israeli teachers were asked to evaluate the academic, social and emotional levels of functioning of a fictitious fifth grade boy who was variously described to them as being from an intact, remarried, divorced or conflicted family. Three main results were obtained. First, teachers expected the child from the intact family to function better academically, socially, and emotionally than the child from the conflicted family. Second, teachers expected similar levels of academic, social, and emotional functioning in a case of both tne child of divorced parents and the child from the remarried family. Third, three dimensions differentiated beween teachers' expectations when the child was described as coming from an intact, remarried or conflicted family but did not do so as regards the child of divorced parents. These results are discussed in the context of teacher-student interactions and their potential to trigger a process of self-fulfilling prophecy. The findings are also considered in reference to the doubtful validity of studies in which teachers' evaluations are used as measures of children's adjustment to the divorce or remarriage of their parents.     

Differences in Relationship Quality Measurement and Covariate Influence Between Individuals in First and Second Marriages: A Propensity Score Analysis

Few studies have examined relationship quality construct measurement and covariate influence differences between first married and remarried individuals. We used multiple-sample confirmatory factor analysis and structural regression invariance testing to assess relationship quality measurement and covariate influence differences between these two groups. We account for selection bias on 11 observed selection variables by comparing outcomes before and after propensity score greedy matching procedures. Using a sample of 2,030 first married and 488 remarried individuals from the Relationship Evaluation Survey, prematching results indicate some significant differences between groups. Postmatching results, however, indicate that all measurement and structural parameters can be constrained to be equal between groups without worsening model fit. Implications, limitations, and future directions for research are discussed.     

Financial management in stepfamilies

This study is an investigation of the financial management practices of 105 remarried couples who have at least one child from a previous marriage. The majority of the couples pool their financial resources and share equally in decisions made about their finances. Financial management practices tend to be different from those of prior marriages. Remarried women experience more changes than remarried men. In general, remarried people are satisfied with how they are handling their finances. The data from this study partially supports Fishman's hypothesis that remarried families who pool resources are closer. Marital relationships are not affected by the method of pooling, but adult-child relationships are closer when resources are pooled than when they are not.This study was funded by the University of Missouri Weldon Springs Research Fund.Marilyn Coleman is Professor and Chair of Human Development and Family Studies, 28 Stanley Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. She received her Ed.D. from the University of Missouri.Lawrence H. Ganong is Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies/Nursing, 313 School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. Dr. Ganong received his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. Both he and Dr. Coleman are currently doing research on stepfamily dynamics as well as sex roles.     

THE PRICE TAG OF RESPONSIBILITY

An opportunity in single-parenthood for women is the enhanced sense of competence. Yet, a well-documented hazard is depressed well-being. Remarriage may reverse these outcomes. This study compared two matched samples of divorced and remarried mothers. Contrary to the research hypothesis, remarried mothers had both a higher sense of competence and well-being than divorced mothers, which was significantly related to feelings of competence and satisfaction in the areas of love, community, and homemaking. There were no differences in other areas, such as work or parenting. Differences in income were significantly related to these outcomes, but did not predict a particular competence and well-being type. Remarried mothers were high on the "Love Competency" and "Achievement" Factors and low on the "Friendships" Factor, while the reverse was true for the divorced; these differences best distinguished the two marital groups. Overall, the sense of competence and well-being were dependent and dynaniically inseparable, both globally and in specific life areas. Risks to the sense of competence and well-being for single-parents were feeling in control of and satisfied with their time, finances, current lives (especially in areas of love, community, homemaking), aspirations, and futures. With proper attention to the legitimization and support of the single-parent, intervention might best focus also on single-parenthood as a training ground for self-empowerment and not remarriage.     

Improving Functioning of the Remarried Family System

This report presents salient issues for therapists in understanding and treating the remarried (Rem, second, blended, reconstituted or step) family. The structure of the remarried family is differentiated from that of the intact family. Specific treatment goals for Rem families are elaborated and various treatment modalities advocated. The need to include former spouses and to consider the meta family system are discussed. Common reactions and difficulties engendered in therapists when working with Rem systems are explicated.     

Using Social Construction Therapy with the REM Family

It is estimated that currently one child in five under the age of eighteen is a stepchild and that by h e year 2000, the remarried (REM) family will outnumber all other family forms. Historically, American society defines any form of family fife that does not conform to the traditional nuclear family as problematic. Family researchers have generally been consistent with society's negative views, using a problem-oriented approach to studying the REM family (Hoffman, 1991; Duncan and Brown, 1992; Coleman, Ganong, and Gingich, 1985). In so doing they have focused on documenting the difficulties of he REM family. This paper attempts to rectify these issues by first exploring the typical problems associated with the REM family focusing on social constructionist themes and therapy which serve to shift the focus of a problem-oriented approach toward a search for the strengths and positive characteristics of the family. Social construction focuses on the sociocultural and the individual relationship influences of language, family and culture. In addition, h e paper proposes a six-stage therapeutic model based on Social Constructionist Theory (Gergen and Gergen, 1983). The six stages of therapy with a remarried family are: ( I ) Joining the Family Meaning System, (2) Proposing the Notion of a Socially Constructed Family Meaning System, (3) Learning the Family's Meaning System,(4) Challenging the Family's Meaning System, (5) Amplifying the New Meaning System, and (6) Stabilizing the New Meaning System. It allows the REM family the ability to construct new meanings around their problems in living in order that they might find workable family solutions.     

Conflict Patterns and Family of Origin Conflict in Newly Initiated Remarriages

ABSTRACT

The poor marriage material hypothesis explains the high divorce rate in remarriages as a function of the qualities of people who have previously been divorced. This study sought to test whether conflict in the family of origin and in the present marriage could substantiate the poor marriage material hypothesis by discriminating between couples in their first marriage versus those in a marriage with a history of divorce. A sample of 66 newlywed married couples, half in first marriages and half in remarriages, were recruited through marriage licenses and student referrals. Family of origin conflict discriminated between first and remarried couples. Namely, wives' exposure to interparental conflict significantly increased the odds that they were presently married to a husband who had previously been divorced. Differences between first and remarried couples' own conflict patterns were largely unremarkable with the exception of remarried couples seeing their partners as being more compliant and unassertive relative to those in first marriages.     

Conflict in Remarriages

This paper uses interview data from a study of 232 remarried and 102 first married couples to test hypotheses about the sources and consequences of conflict in remarriages. The hypotheses are suggested by an analysis of the sources of difficulty in families having prior marriage children. Support was found for hypothese predicting elevated conflict over financial issues, child rearing, and presence of husband's prior marriage children. The hypotheses that remarried husbands would give in more often than those first married, when there was a spousal disagreement, was also substantiated.     

Problems in Remarriage

This study explored the problems in remarriages which remained intact and those which ended in divorce to determine differences in the seriousness of problems with step/children and whether the redivorced reported greater disagreement on key issues. The effects of gender and family structure on marital consensus were explored also. Using a matched sample of 26 remarried and redivorced individuals, the findings indicated that those redivorced did not report problems with step/children to be more serious. They did report a significantly greater frequency of disagreement with spouses on matters involving money, parenting of step/children, spousal and outsider relations, household expectations, and miscellaneous issues. It also was found that gender and remarried family type did not significantly affect consensus except for "outsider" relations; remarriages with children born only to the current marriage reported greater disagreement than either simple or complex stepfamilies.