Il presente lavoro di tesi affronta il tema della psicoterapia con le famiglie ricomposte ed in particolare si pone l’obiettivo di indagare le rappresentazioni che i terapeuti italiani e americani hanno di tale tipologia famigliare. A tal proposito 125 terapeuti italiani e 45 terapeuti americani sono stati invitati a compilare un questionario rispetto agli strumenti e ai metodi adottati in terapia, agli obiettivi e alle azioni terapeutiche nonché alla concezione di famiglia sottesa a tali interventi. Dall’analisi dei risultati emerge una rappresentazione piuttosto confusa da parte dei terapeuti italiani rispetto alle famiglie ricostituite. L’assenza di una formazione specifica sul tema dà origine ad una rappresentazione incerta e ambigua della terapia con i nuclei famigliari ricomposti, tutta incentrata sull’essere del terapeuta piuttosto che sulla famiglia in trattamento. Per quanto riguarda i terapeuti americani, invece, la maggiore esperienza e formazione al trattamento delle famiglie ricomposte contribuiscono a creare una rappresentazione più specifica e più attenta alle caratteristiche e sfide peculiari che tali famiglie sono chiamate ad affrontare. Il ruolo del terapeuta rimane fondamentale ma in questo caso maggiore attenzione viene rivolta all’esperienza e ai media (internet, libri, conferenze) che ne possono garantire una formazione specifica. / The present dissertation deals with the topic of psychotherapy with stepfamilies and, in particular, it aims at investigating the representations Italian and American therapists have about such families. In this respect 125 Italian therapists and 45 American therapists were asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding the instruments and methods used in therapy, the aims and therapeutic actions as well as the idea of family that underlies such interventions. From the analysis of results, Italian therapists are shown to have a rather confused representation regarding stepfamilies. In fact, the lack of a specific training on the topic contributes to create a vague and ambiguous representation of therapy with remarried families where the main focus is the therapist him/herself rather then the family in treatment. With regards to American therapists, instead, the longer experience and higher training in the treatment of stepfamilies play a major role in shaping a more specific and accurate representation of stepfamily therapy. American therapists seem to have a greater awareness of the specific characteristic and challenges remarried families are faced with. The therapist’s role remains pivotal, however, greater attention is given to experience and to the media (internet, books, conferences) able to provide him/her with a specific training.

This dissertation contributes to the literature on intergenerational transfers by examining the dynamics of financial assistance provided by midlife parents to their adult children across the life course. This dissertation also examines whether the cumulative advantage hypothesis stretches across generational lines during co-occurring life course experiences so that financial transfers convey additional advantages to adult children. I use panel data from four waves of the Health and Retirement Study (1992, 1994, 1996 and 1998) to provide a broad picture of the process of financial assistance to younger adults within extended families. I constructed within-family trajectories of assistance to demonstrate that financial transfers are more common than previously estimated. Over 60% of all midlife-parent households gave $500 or more at least once and many parents gave multiple transfers and/or gave transfers to several adult children during a seven-year period. In an examination of kinship structures that differentiates between paternal children and maternal children within blended families, I use nonlinear logistic regression models to show that the decreased likelihood that fathers provided financial assistance to children from a previous marriage accounted solely for the reduction in transfers that all stepchildren received compared to biological children. Multilevel regression models demonstrate that transfer amounts are also influenced by kinship structures and parental resources. Additional analyses show adult child life course transitions related to schooling and coresidence were influential for parents' transfer behaviors while other life course transitions related to work, marriage, home ownership and the addition of a grandchild to the family were not influential. The number of life course transitions experienced by adult children during later waves significantly increased the likelihood of transfer receipt. However, the diversification of experiences over time made it difficult to pinpoint specific life course transitions relevant to financial assistance from parents. The strong impact of previous transfers upon the likelihood that adult children would receive transfers at later waves shows that patterns of repeated transfers were common for many intergenerational families. I argue that future research should analyze the impact of parental wealth on transfers and should explicitly examine parents' motives for giving money to adult children. / Dissertation

Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2005. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

abstract: This study applies Relational Dialectic Theory to analyze the stepparent and stepchild relationship of one family. The data is documented in an autoethnography. Autoethnography is an approach to data collection in which the researcher’s own experience is the source of data, and the experience is studied to deepen understandings of social reality. This study highlights the complexity of the stepparent-stepchild relationship, the uncertainty surrounding the stepparent role, and identifies the dialectic tensions that exist within the stepparent-stepchild relationship. The dialectics identified by this study include: emotional-closeness-distance, past-present, autonomy connection, and parent-friend. The findings related to how these dialectic tensions emerge and are managed within stepparent-stepchild relationships have implications for stepparents and spouses of stepparents and for new parents and parents in traditional family structures. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Communication Studies 2015

This study proposed that the perceived quality of the custodial grandparent/grandchild relationship in step families will not be interrupted by the parental separation and remarriage and that the determinants of the quality of this relationship would be similar to that associated with the grandchild/grandparent relationship in intact families. The research by Shoire and Hayslip (1988) who studied grandparenting indicates that four variables are significant in this perceived relationship (in order of magnitude): kinship position (maternal versus paternal), grand parenting style, parent/grandparent bond, and influence the grandparent has on the grandchild. There same four variables were proposed to predict the perceived quality of the custodial grandparent/grandchild relationship in step families. Grandparenting style, as defined bu Shore and Hayslip (1988), is comprises of three variables, parentlike behaviors provided, services provided, and visitation patterns. To have a continuous rather than nominal value for grandparenting style and to determine which aspect of grandparenting style is most important, these three variables, parentlike behaviors, services, and visitation were used in place of grandparenting style. Therefore, this study proposed that the following variables would predict perceived quality of the custodial grandparent/grandchild relationship: kinship position,parentlike behaviors provided, services provided, visitation patterns, parent/grandparent bond, and influence the grandparent has on the grandchild. Second, this study proposed that while some variables that predict the perceived custodial stepgrandparent/stepgrandchild relationship would correspond to the variables that predict the perceived custodial grandparent/grandchild relationship, some different variables would be important in predicting the perceived quality of the custodial stepgrandchild/stepgrandparent relationship.

No description available.

This study deals with identifying risk factors using measuring instruments in the relationshlp between stepmothers and adolescent stepdaughters in reconstituted families. Risk factors can complicate the relationshlp between stepmothers and adolescent stepdaughters and deviate from the given criteria in this study. Extensive literature survey has been done concerning the reconstituted family, relationshlps, stepmothers, adolescent stepdaughters . and biological fathers. Research shows that the stepmother-stepdaughter relationshlp is the most complicated relationshlp within the reconstituted family and adolescent stepdaughters experience more problems adapting than stepsons. Statistics reveal that the divorce rate and therefore the number of reconstituted families is still on the increase. Literature survey shows that overwhelmingly poor relationshlps are found within the reconstituted family. Added to the risk factors that have been identified during research, professional people were also consulted in identifying the risk factors that could complicate the relationship between stepmothers and adolescent stepdaughters as experienced in practice. After establishing the risk factors, measuring instruments have been emperically applied to determine if the mentioned risk factors in reconstituted families can be identified. The measuring instruments include five standardised and one unstandardised questionnaires. The EPI, 16-PF and HSPQ were used to determine the characteristics in the three parties involved. The Parentchild- communication questionnaire and the Persoonlike vraelys vir hoi!rskoolleerlinge were utilised to identifY various risk factors. The unstandardised RF-Agtergrondvraelys provides background information and highlights risk factors other measuring instruments do not identifY. Arising from information gained on a spesific reconstituted family through measuring instmments, the risk factors can be carried over onto the Samevattende evalueringsblad vir risikofaktore. The biggest problems seem to be discipline and divided loyalty. The structure and conditions of each reconstituted family are unique; therefore the risk factors will differ in families. Even similar risk factors can be experienced differently by each member or other families. The uniqueness and complexity surrounding the reconstituted family is emphasised by this. The identified risk factors can be used in various fields of study that involve reconstituted families. This study is helpful in court where custody placement of minors is broached. The identified risk factors can ease in counselling and therapy . / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

This study deals with identifying risk factors using measuring instruments in the relationshlp between stepmothers and adolescent stepdaughters in reconstituted families. Risk factors can complicate the relationshlp between stepmothers and adolescent stepdaughters and deviate from the given criteria in this study. Extensive literature survey has been done concerning the reconstituted family, relationshlps, stepmothers, adolescent stepdaughters . and biological fathers. Research shows that the stepmother-stepdaughter relationshlp is the most complicated relationshlp within the reconstituted family and adolescent stepdaughters experience more problems adapting than stepsons. Statistics reveal that the divorce rate and therefore the number of reconstituted families is still on the increase. Literature survey shows that overwhelmingly poor relationshlps are found within the reconstituted family. Added to the risk factors that have been identified during research, professional people were also consulted in identifying the risk factors that could complicate the relationship between stepmothers and adolescent stepdaughters as experienced in practice. After establishing the risk factors, measuring instruments have been emperically applied to determine if the mentioned risk factors in reconstituted families can be identified. The measuring instruments include five standardised and one unstandardised questionnaires. The EPI, 16-PF and HSPQ were used to determine the characteristics in the three parties involved. The Parentchild- communication questionnaire and the Persoonlike vraelys vir hoi!rskoolleerlinge were utilised to identifY various risk factors. The unstandardised RF-Agtergrondvraelys provides background information and highlights risk factors other measuring instruments do not identifY. Arising from information gained on a spesific reconstituted family through measuring instmments, the risk factors can be carried over onto the Samevattende evalueringsblad vir risikofaktore. The biggest problems seem to be discipline and divided loyalty. The structure and conditions of each reconstituted family are unique; therefore the risk factors will differ in families. Even similar risk factors can be experienced differently by each member or other families. The uniqueness and complexity surrounding the reconstituted family is emphasised by this. The identified risk factors can be used in various fields of study that involve reconstituted families. This study is helpful in court where custody placement of minors is broached. The identified risk factors can ease in counselling and therapy . / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar as formas de relacionamento de adolescentes e jovens de famílias recompostas de camadas populares, filhos de união anterior da mãe, com quem moravam e que se encontrava em nova união, consensual ou formalizada. Procurou-se descrever e analisar as relações vividas pelos sujeitos com a mãe, com seu parceiro, com parentes de ambos, com o pai biológico, com parentes paternos, com irmãos consangüíneos, uterinos e agnáticos, e também com filhos de uniões da madrasta e do padrasto, seus quase-irmãos. Cabe destacar que os relacionamentos com esses diversos parentes não se restringem ao espaço da moradia. Como conseqüência dessa multiplicidade de novos vínculos, muitos deles sem termo específico para definir o parentesco, objetivou-se pesquisar os estatutos atribuídos aos diferentes integrantes dessas famílias. Além disso, investigou-se como ocorreu a prática socializatória dos sujeitos, incluindo as diversas pessoas que participaram mais ativamente desse processo. Para essa pesquisa, foram entrevistados 11 adolescentes e jovens de ambos os sexos, entre 14 e 20 anos, de dez famílias recompostas. A partir das transcrições das entrevistas, foi efetuada análise qualitativa dos dados, tendo como referência trabalhos nas áreas da Antropologia e da Psicologia. A análise objetivou apreender situações em comum, bem como diferenças entre elas, vividas pelos sujeitos em suas famílias, a fim de se descrever o conjunto de seus relacionamentos de forma mais integrada. Os dados foram contrapostos à literatura da área, a fim de levantar semelhanças e divergências com ela, e foram interpretados à luz dessas ferramentas teóricas. A análise dos relatos dos sujeitos aponta a centralidade da mãe nos arranjos familiares, indicando maior proximidade com ela. Devido a essa centralidade, os parentes maternos são os mais presentes no cotidiano dos sujeitos, em detrimento dos parentes paternos e do padrasto. Como esse não tem parentesco consangüíneo com os enteados, é considerado por eles como parente menos importante. Mesmo assim, a relação que o padrasto tem com a mãe dos enteados e o convívio cotidiano com eles tende a fazer com que, em alguns casos, ele seja visto \"como um pai\", especialmente quando participou da socialização dos sujeitos durante sua infância. Por sua vez, a relação dos sujeitos com vários tipos de irmãos apresenta um estatuto mais estável e claro. Quando meio e quase-irmãos moram na mesma casa e convivem por períodos relativamente longos, tendem a ser classificados como irmãos, da mesma forma que seus irmãos biológicos. Do conjunto da análise dos dados pode-se constatar a imensa complexidade dos relacionamentos nas famílias recompostas, a tensão entre parentesco consangüíneo e aquele socialmente criado e a extensão de formas de relações geradas pelas diferentes uniões de pais e padrastos e que se espraiam para além da unidade doméstica, constituindo verdadeiras constelações familiares. / This study aimed at analyzing the forms of relationship established by teenagers and youngsters in stepfamilies with their several relatives. The subjects have been born into a previous union of their mother and were presently living with her and her new partner, either formally married or not. Hence, it was attempted to describe the relationships these subjects experienced with the mother, her present partner, and relatives of both of them; with the biological father and his relatives; with their siblings, half-siblings and stepsiblings, either children of their stepfather or stepmother. Once these relationships were not restricted to the household space, they involved a wide range of relatives, many of them without a term to define the kin ties. In order to keep track of this multiple new bounds, the identities and roles conferred to these diverse characters were also investigated. Lastly, the socialization practices of the subjects were also analyzed, also related to the people that took part in this process. For this research, 11 teenagers and youngsters of both sexes, at the age band between 14 and 20 years old, of 10 stepfamilies of low-income classes of Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil, were interviewed. The transcripts of these interviews were analyzed through the standpoint of Anthropology and Psychology. The analysis aimed at apprehending recurring themes in their speeches, as well as particularities in the subjects\' experiences of relationships with relatives. These data were compared with the literature on the issue, in order to trace similarities and divergences, and were also interpreted through these theoretical tools. The analysis on the subjects\' reports pointed towards the centrality of the mother in the family life and indicated that they presented greater intimacy with her. Due to this centrality, the maternal relatives were also more present in the everyday life of the subjects, if compared to the paternal or the stepfather\'s ones. Because the latter does not bear blood ties with his stepchildren, he is prone to be considered a less important relative by them. However, despite this evaluation, due to the relation the stepfather had with the subjects\' mother and to their everyday living together, he may eventually be considered to be \"just like a father\", especially if he has participated in the socialization of the subjects. Related to their several siblings (blood, half and step ones), the subjects tended to confer a more steady and clear role to them. When half and stepsiblings lived in the same house for relatively long periods of time, they tended to consider each other as brothers and sisters, the same way as among blood siblings. From the set of the data analysis, it was possible to perceive the great complexity of relationships among stepfamilies, the tension between blood kinship and the socially established one, and the extension of family relations beyond the household limits due to the different unions established by parents and stepparents, which end up constituting the so-called family constellations.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1993. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-160).