Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity International University, 1999. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 244-247).

This study explored the nature of attitudes and expectations about support and caregiving in seven adult stepchild-stepparent (matched) dyads (N=14) using qualitative interviews analyzed with thematic and constant comparative methods. Findings indicated that all stepchildren in the sample would consider contributing some sort of care/support to their aging stepparents if necessary, but that not all stepchildren considered it their responsibility to do so. Likewise, most stepparents would expect at least some kind of care and/or support if they needed it. For stepparents this was often qualified as emotional support and certain kinds of instrumental help. In summary, the expectations of stepchildren and their stepparents are tied to four major factors: (1) family history and family ties; (2) gender; of stepchild (3) history of exchange and support; and (4) feelings of loyalty of stepchildren towards their biological parent. / Graduate

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Family Studies and Social Work, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF document. Document formatted into pages; contains [1], iii, 127 p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 43-46).

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2005. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

Thesis (M.A.)--The Master's College, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves: 112-116).

Thesis (M.A.)--Boise State University, 2010. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-70).

Thesis (M.A.)--Boise State University, 2010. / Title from t.p. of PDF file (viewed July 13, 2010). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-70).

Stepfamilies are the fastest growing family type in America. Unfortunately, our society holds unwarranted negative attitudes about and negative stereotypes of stepfamilies and stepfamily members. Research indicates that stepfamilies are not an inherently dysfunctional or deficient type of family. On the contrary, stepfamilies can be as healthy as nuclear families, and they can produce emotionally healthy individuals. Healthy stepfamilies, however, are often different in the roles of family members and the quality of interactions between members. It is this difference between stepfamily functioning and the normative nuclear family expectations of society that appears to perpetuate negative stereotypes of stepfamilies.Some evidence suggests that counselors hold negative stereotypes of stepfamilies. As s-:ich it is likely that they will diagnose and treat stepfamilies from an inappropriate nuclear family model, perceiving stepfamilies to be more pathological than they are and, in treatment, attempting to fit stepfamilies into roles and relationships inappropriate for healthy stepfamily functioning. No research to date, however, has examined whether counselors' attitudes about stepfamilies affect diagnostic and treatment decisions.This dissertation conducted a national survey of counselor attitudes about stepfamilies. It examined three areas where counselor bias may affect service delivery: judgments regarding stepfamily health, diagnostic decisions, and treatment decisions. It found that counselors appear to generate differential ratings of family health and differential diagnostic impressions on the basis of family interaction style (healthy nuclear family versus healthy stepfamily) and on the basis of family label (nuclear family versus stepfamily). These differential ratings and impressions favor a nuclear family style combined with a nuclear family label in comparison to other family style and label combinations. Additionally, the Parent-Child relationships in a nuclear family that acts like a healthy stepfamily were rated to be more in need of treatment and more important to treatment than in other family styles.The results of this study suggest that experienced counseling psychologists may express bias against stepfamilies and against nuclear families that function outside a traditional nuclear model. They appear to use the traditional nuclear family as a standard against which other family interaction styles and types are found lacking. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Thesis (D. Min.)--Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 292-299).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Duke University, 2008.