Stepfathers and adolescent well-being: a systematic literature review

Cui, Y., Li, X. and Nyman, T. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6409-2528 (2024) Stepfathers and adolescent well-being: a systematic literature review. Marriage & Family Review. ISSN 1540-9635 doi: 10.1080/01494929.2024.2401534

Abstract/Summary

Stepfathers may influence their children’s development differently from either biological fathers or stepmothers due to differences in biological relatedness, social expectations, and relevant family processes; however, to date, little is known about the impact of stepfathers despite the increasing diversification of families. This systematic review synthesizes existing evidence on the connection between growing up in stepfather families and adolescent well-being. Findings from 29 empirical studies suggested that in between-group comparisons, adolescents with stepfathers demonstrated less optimal socioemotional and behavioral outcomes than those from two-biological-parent families. However, within-group examinations of adolescents in stepfather families indicated that positive stepfather involvement and stepfather-stepchild closeness benefit adolescent well-being. Maternal involvement and mother-stepfather relationships may moderate the influences of stepfathers. These findings have implications for future research and practices involving stepfather families and adolescent development.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/117977
Identification Number/DOI	10.1080/01494929.2024.2401534
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Clinical Language Sciences
Publisher	Taylor and Francis
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