Beyond the Coparenting Dyad: Characteristics of Shared Parenting Communication for Stepfamily Couples with Joint Custody Arrangements

• In Event: Communication Issues Involving Families of Divorce

Abstract

In a departure from a bioparental dyad-focused approach to studying coparenting, this study locates the stepfamily couple (bioparent/stepparent) at the center of an inquiry into managing coparenting across households. Survey and narrative data collected from participants (n = 64) about their coparenting experiences revealed that 41% of stepparents engage in direct coparenting communication, sometimes manifested as the coactive approach identified in this study. Stepparents are also involved indirectly, through the conferred and consultative approaches.

Authors

• Andrea Smith Sisk, University of Denver

• Fran Dickson, Chapman University