Exploring the caregiving attitudes of adult stepchildren and the expectations of older stepparents
Date
2012-09-19
Authors
Morris, Rebecca
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Abstract
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.
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Caregiving, Aging, Stepfamilies