Emily B. Visher

COMMON PROBLEMS OF STEPPARENTS AND THEIR SPOUSES

The half-million adults annually who become stepparents in this country have relatively little guidance available to them from mental health professionals or from the public. This paper examines conflictual situations that frequently interfere with the successful blending and establishment of new stepfamilies.

Parenting Coalitions after Remarriage: Dynamics and Therapeutic Guidelines.

This article defines and discusses the advantages of parenting coalitions when children have contact with both of their parents after divorce and remarriage. It outlines the developmental sequence leading to such coalitions and describes common obstacles encountered by the adults. The major focus is on therapeutic interventions which can help the adults form parenting coalitions, illustrated with case examples.

Major Areas of Difficulty for Stepparent Couples.

Abstract It has been reported that, by 1975, there were 25 million adults in America who were stepfathers and stepmothers (Roosevelt & Lofas, 1976), with a million more adults becoming stepparents each year. Thus the “stepfamily,” or “blended,” “remarried” or “reconstituted” family has become an important entity in American society.

The Core Ingredients in the Treatment of Stepfamilies

This article discusses the interventions that stepfamily couples report to be the most helpful in dealing with the challenges that they encounter These include validation and normalization of stepfamily life, psychoeducation, development of a parenting coalition, reduction of feelings of helplessness, and strengthening the couple relationship. Case illustrations stress positive outcomes for both adults and children.

Lessons from remarriage families

Abstract This paper outlines what stepfamilies need from therapy and describes three important lessons other types of families can learn from remarriage families. These lessons are: 1) dealing productively with losses and changes; 2) accepting and appreciating differences; and 3) enhancing relationships by increasing dyadic interactions.

Beyond The Nuclear Family: Resources and Implications for Pediatricians

In the United States, the shift from traditional nuclear families to diverse family forms has been dramatic. As a result, it is estimated that only 50% of children will live with their biologic parents until their 18th birthday. Consequently, many of the children seen by pediatricians live in non-nuclear family homes. Despite societys difficulty in accepting family diversity, research indicates it is not the form of the family that leads to problems for children, but it is conflict in the family that can produce lasting emotional difficulties. The familys task is to create emotionally supportive interactions within the family, regardless of family type. The pediatrician is a major societal contact for many families. As such, pediatricians are in a position to make a meaningful difference in the health of children and families. This can bring rewards to the family and to the pediatrician. By being more knowledgeable about the childs form of family, its intrinsic strengths and potential problems, and more specifically about the nature of relationships within the family, a pediatrician can play a major role in the anticipation, early detection, and intervention of problems. The knowledge and techniques suggested in this article, when used appropriately, will assure a better outcome for children and their families.