STEPFAMILIES: CONFLICT TACTICS AND FAMILY STRENGTH

This study sought to examine the relationships between: (1) conflict tactics, (2) certain independent variables and perceived family strength in the stepfamily unit. The sample was composed of 85 partners in remarriages from Lincoln, Nebraska. The data were collected during the winter of 1982 by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Percentages, frequencies, Pearson Product - Moment correlation coefficient, and one-way analysis of variance were used in the analysis of data. Significant negative relationships were found to exist between family strength and (a) verbal aggression conflict tactics, and (b) violence conflict tactics. Significant positive relationships were found between family strength and (a) marital satisfaction, and (b) satisfaction with handling discipline. No significant relationships were found between family strength and (a) reasoning conflict tactics, (b) length of marriage, (c) family size, (d) age of designated child and (e) type of ex-spouse influence. The stepfamily subjects generally had high family strength and generally handled conflict by employing reasoning tactics and passive verbal aggression tactics. Family strengths identified in an open-ended question coincided with other stepfamily and family strength studies. Issues of conflict identified by the sample also concurred with findings of previous studies. Findings indicate the need for: (1) educational programs focusing on conflict management and parent-child relationships for both children and adults; (2) premarital and marital counseling that addresses the unique issues confronting the remarried family; (3) more research on conflict management, impact of parental status on family strength, children and child-related issues, and a study including a sample representative of various races, socio-economic classes, religions, family sizes, geographical locations, and weak families