Gullotta Ch 8 Flashcards
What are some common myths of the stepfamily?
Stepmother is mean
Stepfather is sexually suspect and a potential molester, ex-wife meddles in the new family affairs, ex-husband is withdrawn/absent, children suffer from pathologies and can wreck new relationship
What are some alternative terms for stepfamily that may help remove negative connotation of the “stepfamily”?
remarried families, reconstituted family, patchwork family, blended family, binuclear family and continuation family,
What are the models most commonly used to explain stepfamily functioning and the development of children?
stress models, models of stepparent and parent involvement, stepparent and parent parenting style, evolutionary theory and the selection hypothesis
According to Bien and colleagues, what type of step family includes two partners with their own children, but no children shared ?
Composite stepfamily: Both partners bring children with them into the relationship, but have no children together.
According to Bien and colleages, what is a repeatedly fragmented stepfamily?
the composition of the family changes more than once as a result of repeated divorce or death
What was the only biological or genetic factor related to stepfamily?
“earlier pubertal timing for girls”
Based on research, what is generally helpful following the transition to the stepfamily?
Child's age ( younger is better) female gender (at least until puberty)
What are the risks associated with being a child in a stepfamily?
“Scholars find that children form stepfamilies are twice as likely to suffer pscyhologicial problems as children from nuclear families”
In the U.S. stepchildren are more likely to drop out of school, be involved in delinquency, and be abused.
Long-term behavioral and emotional disorders, poor educational performance, lack of self-esteem, depression substance abuse, and health problems are mentioned as typical problems faced by children from stepfamilies.
What has been argued as an important family-level variable in establishing and maintaining resiliency in step families?
communication efficacy
T or F: stepfamilies do better if they are aware of their structural complexity
T
T or F: the research generally supports that children with a biological adult are more at risk for abuse
F “nonbiological”
Suppose you receive a stepfamily case. What are the steps you would take to treat them considering the risk factors?
According to Visher, Visher and Pasley (1997), I would validate the stepfamily as such, normalize its current situation, work toward reducing feeling of helplessness and strengthen Relationship counseling should also follow.
Based on the chapter, there is not much research surrounding the interventions for stepfamilies. What are some suggested interventions?
Genogram to identify complexity, Gestalt and systemic psychology, assist in opening up the family, psychoeducation,
More general advice and best practice is to reinforce co-parenting when necessary, educate family on positive coping strategies, acknowledge the stepfamily is a complex system, involve the parent living elsewhere. “an educational approach that promotes social competency and encourages natural care giving is central”
