Introduction

Stepfamilies formed after divorce are becoming increasingly common. In Australia 71% of divorced men with children and 52% of divorced women with children, remarry within 5-8 years of their divorce (Weston & Khoo, 1993). It has been estimated that around 40% of children will experience the divorce and remarriage of their parents by the end of adolescence (Fergusson, Horwood & Dimond, 1985). Unfortunately, when couples with children from earlier relationships remarry, these relationships tend to be quite unstable, especially in the first few years (Anderson & White, 1986; Fergusson, Horwood & Lawton, 1988).

Marital preparation programs have gained increasing recognition as a useful approach for fostering healthy couple relationships and avoiding long term negative consequences of marital distress (Dyer & Halford, 1998). However, interventions for protecting and enhancing couple relationships within the context of a stepfamily need to consider a broader range of factors than other marital preparation programs (Lawton & Sanders, 1994; Nicholson & Sanders, 1999). In addition to skills that are critical for building a healthy couple relationship (Dyer & Halford, 1998; Sayers, Kohn & Heavey, 1998), parenting roles are central to stepfamily functioning and the adjustment of individual family members (Hobart, 1991; Hoge, Andrews & Robinson, 1990).

The current paper reports on preliminary results from a large randomised controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of a group preventive intervention for couples in stepfamilies. The Stepfamily Preparation Program (StepPrep) has involved intervention with 74 families with outcomes evaluated up to 12 months after intervention. The data reported here are based on preliminary analyses of the incomplete data set.

Design

StepPrep is an early intervention program that aims to prevent the separation of stepfamily couples by providing: stepfamily education; positive relationship skills; cooperative positive parenting skills; and family communication and problem solving skills. It was hypothesised that intervention would prevent the deterioration of the couple relationship primarily by enhancing the couple’s relationship and joint parenting skills. It was also hypothesised that improved parenting skills would be associated with positive outcomes for the couple’s children. StepPrep was evaluated using a randomised controlled trial design. Families were randomly allocated to either a 7-week group intervention program with active skills training, or a minimal intervention control condition that involved a 7-week self-educational program using "Living in a Stepfamily" by Ruth Webber (1994). Couples were in dating, cohabiting, or remarried committed relationships of at least 6 months duration, with no current relationship distress (DAS score > 90). Couples had at least one child (aged 7-12 years) from a former relationship who resided in or regularly visited their household.

Results

Differential drop out rates were obtained for the two intervention conditions. During intervention 1 couple failed to complete the StepPrep group program (due to lack of enjoyment) while 7 couples failed to complete the self-directed program due to separation (1 couple) and lack of satisfaction (6 couples). The impact of intervention on the couple’s relationship was assessed using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale to measure marital satisfaction, and from separation data. Both groups showed a decline in marital satisfaction over time, but contrary to expectations, there was a significantly greater decline in satisfaction reported for parents (p<.05) and stepparents (p<.05) from the therapy group. Couples from the therapy group also showed a trend (p<.08) for a higher separation rate than couples from the self-directed control group, mostly occurring in the first six months post-intervention.

In terms of parenting outcomes, couples showed a highly significant reduction in the use of aversive parenting practices (parent report p<.005; stepparent report p<.000) as measured by the Parenting Scale, with couples from the therapy group showing a significantly greater reduction in these practices than couples from the self-directed program (parents p<.01; stepparents p<.05). These changes were associated with an improvement in child behaviour, as measured by the Eyberg Child Behaviour Inventory, with those from the therapy group showing a significantly greater reduction in reported behaviour problems according to parents (p<.05).

Substantial differences were found in terms of satisfaction with intervention for the two intervention conditions. Parents and stepparents receiving the therapy group program were significantly more satisfied than those receiving the self-directed program (p<.001). Qualitative data analyses revealed that couples completing both programs reported increased knowledge about stepfamily issues. However, those from the therapy group were more likely to report: appreciating the normalising and social support aspects of the program; an improvement in the couple relationship; and improved stepparent-child relationships. Fifty per cent of couples from the control group reported that problems remained at the end of intervention compared to 18% of group intervention couples.

Tentative Conclusions

Data are still being collected for this research, and it would be premature to draw strong conclusions. However, to date, the StepPrep group therapy program was associated with a lower drop out rate, higher satisfaction and greater self-reported gains, than a minimal intervention self-education program. Contrary to expectations, this program was also associated with a significantly greater drop in couple relationship satisfaction and a high initial separation rate. The program was associated with improved parenting and child adjustment, and it is predicted that these changes may have a long term protective effect on stepfamily stability.

This study highlights the challenges in prevention research including problems in finding suitable control groups for use in long term research and difficulties determining which outcomes represent success. Conflicting outcomes were obtained from the qualitative and quantitative analyses and when comparing couple vs. family data. Forthcoming analyses will examine the impact of therapy on observed couple and family interactions, with the complete sample assessed to 12 months post-intervention. Future research is needed to look at longer term outcomes (e.g. 3-5 years later).

References:

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Dyer, C., & Halford, W.K. (1998). Prevention of relationship problems: Retrospect and prospect. Behaviour Change, 15(2), 107-125.

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Fergusson, D.M., Horwood, L.J., & Lawton, J.M. (1988). The influence of family order and selection factors on the stability of first and second families. Christchurch Child Development Study, Christchurch School of Medicine, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Hobart, C. (1991). Conflict in remarriages. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 15, 69-86.

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Nicholson, J.M. & Sanders, M.R. (1999). Treatment of child behavour problems in stepfamilies: Randomised controlled trial of enhanced behavioral family intervention. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, in press.

Sayers, S., Kohn, & Heavey (1998). Prevention of marital dysfunction: Behavioral approaches and beyond. Clinical Psychology Review, 18.

Webber, R.P. (1994). Living in a stepfamily (Second ed.). Hawthorne, Victoria: Australian Council for Educational Research.

Weston, R., & Khoo, S-E. (1993) Family reformation: A key adjustment strategy. In K. Funder, M. Harrison, & R. Weston (Eds.), Settling down: Pathways of parents after divorce. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, Monograph No. 13.

*Presenting author: Dr Jan Nicholson, School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia. Email: j.nicholson@qut.edu.au