%0 Journal Article
%T Factors associated with positive relationships between stepfathers and adolescent stepchildren
%J Social science research
%D 2014
%A King, Valarie
%A Thorsen, Maggie L.
%A Amato, Paul R.
%V 47
%N 
%P 16-29
%X This study employs nationally representative data on adolescents and their stepfathers (n = 2085) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to examine factors associated with positive stepfather-stepchild relationships in married stepfamilies. <br><br>RESULTS reveal substantial variability in the perceived quality of adolescents' relationships with stepfathers. Structural equation models using Wave I data reveal that close relationships with mothers and close ties between mothers and stepfathers are positively related to the perceived quality of adolescents' relationships with stepfathers. Longitudinal models using Waves I and II do not yield definitive results but suggest that the direction of influence runs in both directions, with the mother-child relationship and the stepfather-stepchild relationship mutually reinforcing one another. We identify a number of other factors that are associated with positive stepfather-stepchild ties, as well as a few factors that may be less consequential than previously thought. Most of the correlates of positive stepfather-stepchild relationships are similar for boys and girls; for Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics; and for stepfamilies of various durations.<p />
%G en
%I Elsevier Publishing
%@ 0049-089X
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2014.03.010