Stepfather-Adolescent Relationship Quality during the First Year of Transitioning to a Stepfamily

Valarie King, Pennsylvania State University
Paul Amato, Pennsylvania State University
Rachel Lindstrom, Pennsylvania State University

This study contributes to the growing literature on factors associated with the formation of close relationships between stepfathers and stepchildren. We extend prior research by using nationally representative data from Add Health (N = 179) to examine how factors existing prior to stepfamily formation are associated with the quality of stepfather-adolescent ties within the first year after married stepfathers join the household. Results from structural equation models revealed that both the quality of the mother-adolescent relationship and adolescent adjustment prior to stepfamily formation were significantly associated with the perceived quality of adolescents’ relationships with their stepfathers.