FAMILY PROCESSES AND ADOLESCENT ADJUSTMENT IN INTACT AND REMARRIED FAMILIES

This study examines whether family processes that predict positive and negative developmental outcomes are the same in intact and remarried families. Surveys were administered to 758 tenth graders from intact f amilies and 95 from stepfather families. Measures of cohesion, democra tic decision-making style, permissiveness, and conflict were used to p redict self-rated depression, worry, and self-esteem. Remarried and in tact families provide similar family environments for permissiveness a nd democratic decision making. Remarried families are more conflictual and less cohesive than intact families. In both family types, conflic t had negative effects, and cohesion and democratic decision-making ha d positive effects on adolescents' adjustment. In remarried families, but not intact, permissiveness was related to higher self-esteem.