Perceptions of the difficulties associated with stepfamilies in adolescents and emerging adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70478/apuntes.psi.2026.44.13Keywords:
stepfamilies, family diversity, adolescence, emerging adulthood, social representationsAbstract
Background. Stepfamilies constitute an increasingly common reality within contemporary family diversity. Nevertheless, social beliefs persist that associate them with greater relational, educational, and emotional difficulties. The aim of this study was to analyze perceptions of the difficulties associated with stepfamilies among adolescents and emerging adults, as well as to explore the factorial structure of an instrument designed to assess these perceptions and the existence of different perception profiles.
Method. Participants were 413 adolescents and emerging adults aged 14 to 25 years. An 18-item questionnaire assessing perceived difficulties in stepfamilies was administered. Descriptive analyses, exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency analyses, comparative analyses according to sociodemographic and family-related variables, and cluster analysis to identify perception profiles were conducted.
Results. The analyses identified a three-dimensional structure comprising family cohabitation and integration, parental and educational problems, and emotional and relational vulnerability. The highest scores were found for difficulties related to adapting to new family dynamics, conflicts arising from previous relationships, and rejection processes among some family members. Differences were observed according to family structure, developmental stage, and experience of family disruption, whereas no differences were found according to gender. Cluster analysis identified three differentiated profiles of perceptions of the difficulties associated with stepfamilies.
Conclusions. The findings suggest that perceptions of the difficulties associated with stepfamilies are organized around different dimensions and show considerable heterogeneity according to the developmental and family characteristics of the participants. These perceptions should be understood as evaluations of the difficulties associated with this type of family rather than as a measure of their actual functioning.
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