Stepfather-Stepson Communication ─ Social Support in Stepfamily Worlds

The original research reported in this book fills a gap in the field of family communication studies. It follows the line of studies beginning with Hess and Handel's groundbreaking Family Worlds in 1959. That book examined “normal” families in a United States where stepfamilies were much less common than they are now. In the five decades that have elapsed, marriage has become less standard, family size has decreased, cohabitation has become common, sexual activity takes place at a younger age and first marriage at a later age. In 1959, about 75% of children lived with their own, married mothers and fathers. It is estimated that about one-third of children now live in stepfamilies. Discoveries made in this area are important, as it's been shown that the lives of stepchildren have more problematic outcomes.Author Pettigrew is particularly interested in “supportive communication” and its effects on the stepfather-stepson relationship. He cites numerous background studies to establish a foundation for the value of this one. He describes the why and how of the “relational” model of communication he employs. The study itself closely examines six stepfamily systems. Pettigrew describes in the Appendix his methods for designing and executing the study. Data collection involved interviews, observational visits and self-reporting. Annotation c2014 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)

Jonathan Pettigrew (PhD, The Pennsylvania State University) is Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Tennessee. His work has appeared in the Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, Journal of Adolescent Research, and Marriage & Family Review, among others.