Promoting healthy stepfamilies
Couples' reasons for seeking help and perceived benefits from intervention
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January 2008
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Abstract
Stepfamilies are challenging environments that can threaten the health and wellbeing of family members. Yet the reluctance of stepfamily members to seek assistance through family interventions has been well documented. This paper reviews research on interventions for stepfamilies, and examines Australian data from a stepfamily program designed to promote healthy stepfamily relationships (The 'StepPrep' program). It explores the reasons why some stepfamilies seek help and the gains they report from stepfamily interventions.
Stepfamilies are challenging environments that can threaten the health and wellbeing of family members. Yet the reluctance of stepfamily members to seek assistance through family interventions has been well documented. This paper reviews research on interventions for stepfamilies, and examines Australian data from a stepfamily program designed to promote healthy stepfamily relationships (The 'StepPrep' program). It explores the reasons why some stepfamilies seek help and the gains they report from stepfamily interventions.