Date of Award

2001

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of court-ordered participation in a psychoeducational course on stepfamily adaptability and cohesion. Thirty parental dyads, consisting of one biological parent and one stepparent of an adjudicated adolescent, were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. Treatment dyads participated in a 5-session workshop based on the Strengthening Stepfamilies” psychoeducational program (Albert & Einstein, 1986). Both groups were administered a demographic data questionnaire and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale-III (FACES-III; Olson, Portner, & Lavee, 1985). Additionally, the treatment group participated in a follow-up interview. Results of plotting the FACES-III scores on the Family Circumplex Model indicated that the majority of dyads fell in the mid and extreme ranges of family functioning. Paired t-tests and ANCOVAs were conducted to assess the differences in adaptability and cohesion. A significant difference was found between groups at post-test on cohesion, indicating the treatment group dyads were more cohesive than the control group dyads. Data gathered through the post-intervention telephone interview indicated the majority of treatment group participants perceived increased family closeness, increased communication, and a stronger parenting relationship.

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