The experience of residential and non-residential stepparents: is there a difference?
Stepfamilies are becoming an increasingly common family structure in Australia. This family structure is more complex than the traditional nuclear family and as such, stepparents often encounter difficulties adjusting to stepfamily life.
However, adjustment difficulties may be attributable to the residential status of the stepchild. Residential stepparents typically report more positive experiences with live-in step children. In contrast, non-residential stepparents describe their role as ambiguous and stressful, facilitating escalated conflict within and across families.
Despite these apparent differences, the majority of research to date does not differentiate between the experience of residential and non-residential stepparents, often incorporating combined samples. This research examined the experience of residential and non-residential stepparents (N=80) in isolation. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the development of support programs for stepparents.