Adjustment to Stepfatherhood:

Marital history and characteristics of stepchildren were viewed as factors ,which influence adjustment to step- fatherhood. It was hypothesized that marital history affected the amount of conflict present in the relationship between the stepfather and his stepchildren. Characteristics of the stepchildren were viewed as factors which allowed stepfathers to successfully handle potential conflict. Using a sample of stepfathers who were married in 1980- 1983 in Orange County, California, it was found that marital history was somewhat related to the stepfathers' involvement with theu stepchildren in some activities. Marital history was also somewhat related to the stepfather's feelings about and reactions to his step- children. However, the key to the stepfather's adjustment was whether his biological children were present in the household. The effects of this variable were found to be positive. It was concluded that the relationship between marital history and stepfather adjust- ment is complex and varying.