THE CLARITY AND CONTENT OF THE STEPPARENT ROLE - A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The manner in which the role of the stepparent is defined and implemen ted has been identified as an important determinant of how well family members adjust to living in stepfamilies. This article reviews the li terature on the role of the stepparent, focusing primarily on two inde pendent aspects of this role: its clarity and its content. After infor mation is presented on these two aspects of the stepparent role, the l imited research on how the clarity and content of the stepparent role relate to the adjustment of stepfamily members is reviewed. Finally, s ome implications for professionals who work with stepfamilies are prov ided.