ABSTRACT
A search of the literature has revealed only a limited number of serious scientific studies with direct applicability to some aspect of stepfamily relationships. Causes for the stepmother’s psychological stress were hypothecated to be in her failure to find support within the stepfamily or within society for the effective enactment of her role, for the satisfaction of major personal needs, and for the affirmation of a favorable self-image. Margaret Draughon further comments that one of the most difficult aspects of the stepmother role is that there are no social guidelines with the resulting ambiguity in the stepmother’s relationship with her stepchild. Janice Horowitz Nadler has completed a study on the subject of the psychological stress of the stepmother. Children from lower-class families find remarriage more stressful. There have been a number of attempts to assess the effects of divorce and remarriage on the adjustment of children.
