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Schrodt’s Typology of Stepfamilies
In addition to these four family types just discussed, other researchers have continued efforts to understand the variability that exists in other family forms. One of our authors of this text, Paul Schrodt, did a study in 2006 that sought to better understand the complex and dynamic makeup of stepfamilies. The study extended previous stepfamily research by classifying stepchildren according to their beliefs and experiences with key dimensions of stepfamily life, and by examining differences in perceptions of communication competence and mental health among different stepfamily types.
Participants included 586 stepchildren from four different states who completed a series of survey measures. Results of cluster and discriminant analyses revealed five discrete types of stepfamilies, including bonded, functional, ambivalent, evasive, and conflictual stepfamilies. Taken as a whole, bonded and functional stepfamilies were viewed as more competent, better functioning stepfamilies than those classified as ambivalent, evasive, and conflictual. Read below for a more detailed explanation of each type. But estimates of validity for the typology revealed significant differences in self-reported communication competence and mental health among the five stepfamily types, as well as significant differences in perceptions of mothers’ and stepparents’ communication competence. To no surprise, practitioners and researchers alike may find it important to note that communication skills are critical to facilitating better stepfamily functioning and stepparents can learn to communicate in ways that are appropriate, socially skilled, patient, flexible, but yet be assertive.
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