1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«With this study, three objectives are to be reached: assessing the role strain degree which couples from stepfamilies go through, identifying factors that are related to it, and finally, managing to predict this strain. This article’s aim is to present the three role strain prediction models that have been developed. » (p. 52)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« The subjects are members of stepfamilies and, more specifically, biological parents and their spouses who are in the positions of stepparent. The final sample is composed of 162 individuals divided into 84 different families. It includes as many men (81) as women (81) from 23 to 59 years of age. Most of them(80%) are presently common-law spouses and were separated (de facto or legal: 23%) or divorced (36%) when the remarriage took place. » (p. 54)

Instruments :
«Self-rating questionnaire: It consisted of 35 closed, open or multiple-choice questions and was divided into three different parts. The first part was about general information on the family. The second part was composed of questions measuring the role strain and the different independent variables. Finally, the last part of the questionnaire was composed of sociodemographic information. » (p. 55)

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« This article reports the existence of role strain prediction factors identified in stepfamilies. The data was collected from 162 individuals divided into 84 families reconstituted following a divorce. This sample applies to parents as well as stepparents. The principal results of this study revealed that the most important role strain prediction factor for the parents in a stepfamily is the competition between the children and the new spouse. As for the stepparents, a low level of consensus in relation to the parent’s way of raising the children is the strongest prediction variable. Finally, the most significant prediction factor for individuals assuming a role of both parent and stepparent is a very high degree of consensus on the way in which the spouse, parent of the children, assumes his role of parent. » (p. 51)