2021/10/12 by Lawrence Ganong, Lawrence H.Ganong, Caroline Sanner +2 · 14 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Coparenting #Developmental psychology #Empirical evidence #Family Dynamics and Relationships #Family Support in Illness #Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving #Psychology #Remarriage #Sociology #Stepfamily
paper · doi:10.1111/fare.12607
published in Family Relations 71(3), 918-934 (Wiley)
crossref issued 2021/10/12 · crossref published 2021/10/12 · crossref published-online 2021/10/12 · openalex publication_date 2021/10/12 · crossref created 2021/10/16 · crossref published-print 2022/07/01 · crossref deposited 2023/08/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/08/02 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/03
Abstract Objective The purpose of this review is to examine research evidence about effective childrearing of stepchildren by coparents in stepfamilies (i.e., childrearing that contributes to children's physical, cognitive, and emotional well‐being). Background Childrearing after parental repartnering is likely to involve coparenting within stepfamily households (i.e., by parents and stepparents), across stepfamily households (i.e., by biological parent dyads), and a combination of intra‐ and inter‐household coparenting subsystems. Effective coparenting of children in stepfamilies benefits individual, relational, and stepfamily well‐being and effective family functioning. Method We reviewed 58 studies in which empirical evidence of effective childrearing of stepchildren by coparents in stepfamilies was obtained. Results Children in stepfamilies fare better when coparents work collaboratively in focusing on children's well‐being, managing conflicts, being careful when communicating to children and to coparents, and keeping children out of parental issues. Coparenting within stepfamily households works when coparents agree on childrearing rules and roles, communicate clearly, and engage in parenting styles that emphasize high warmth. Step‐household coparents also foster children's well‐being by creating cohesive stepfamily dynamics and modifying expectations. Few researchers studied coparental triads that include both parents and a stepparent. Conclusions Stepfamily members benefit from effective coparenting. Implications Effective childrearing by stepfamily coparent subsystems is complex, but a key is focusing on children's well‐being.