Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Cinderella's stepmother syndrome.

K Morrison, A Thompson-Guppy

    Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie
    |November 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Stepmothers experiencing psychological distress may present with symptoms resembling depression. However, this distress is often a normal adjustment reaction to their challenging family role, not a clinical disorder.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Ultrahypofractionated radiotherapy for localised prostate cancer: The impact of daily MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy on delivered dose.

    Clinical and translational radiation oncology·2025
    Same author

    Retraction Note: Influence of hypobaric hypoxia on leptin levels in men.

    International journal of obesity (2005)·2024
    Same author

    Two cases of quinine-induced fixed 'drug' eruption induced by long drinks.

    Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2021
    Same author

    The effective coupling coefficient for a completed PIN-PMN-PT array.

    Ultrasonics·2020
    Same author

    Measurement of the heat flux normalized spin Seebeck coefficient of thin films as a function of temperature.

    The Review of scientific instruments·2020
    Same author

    Global, multicenter, randomized, phase II trial of gemcitabine and gemcitabine plus AGS-1C4D4 in patients with previously untreated, metastatic pancreatic cancer.

    Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology·2013
    Same journal

    Prevalence of Comorbid Postpartum Depression and Anxiety in Birthing Parents Seeking Treatment for Postpartum Depression: Prévalence de la présence comorbide de la dépression et de l'anxiété post-partum chez les parents ayant accouché qui ont consulté en raison de la dépression post-partum.

    Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie·2026
    Same journal

    Healthcare Pattern of Use Before and After Initiating a Long-Acting Antipsychotic Among a Cohort of 6221 Patients With a History of Psychosis.

    Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie·2026
    Same journal

    Clinician's Corner: Chatbots for Psychotherapy.

    Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie·2026
    Same journal

    Understanding Illicit Prescription Painkiller Use: A Multivariable Exploration of Mental Health and Other Predictors Among Canadian University Students: Comprendre la consommation illicite d'analgésiques sur ordonnance : une analyse multivariée de la santé mentale et d'autres facteurs prédictifs chez les étudiants universitaires canadiens.

    Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie·2026
    Same journal

    Update on ADHD genetics: A practitioner's perspective: Mise à jour sur la génétique du TDAH : le point de vue d'un praticien.

    Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie·2026
    Same journal

    Sexsomnia: A Clinical Entity Psychiatrists Should Know About.

    Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie·2026
    See all related articles

    Area of Science:

    • Psychology
    • Family Studies
    • Mental Health

    Background:

    • Societal perceptions of stepmothers have historically been negative.
    • Stepmothers often overcompensate to gain acceptance in new family dynamics.
    • Increasingly, stepmothers are reporting significant psychological distress.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To identify and conceptualize a new syndrome experienced by stepmothers.
    • To differentiate between clinical depressive illness and normal adjustment reactions in stepmothers.
    • To provide a basis for effective treatment strategies.

    Main Methods:

    • Two separate clinical studies were conducted.
    • A total of 22 stepmothers participated (12 in the first, 10 in the second).
    • Symptoms were documented and analyzed by two independent professionals.

    Related Experiment Videos

    Main Results:

    • Remarkably uniform symptoms were observed across both studies.
    • Symptoms presented clinically similar to depressive illness (e.g., anxiety, guilt, low self-esteem).
    • Further exploration revealed the distress as a normal adjustment reaction to a stressful situation.

    Conclusions:

    • The observed uniform symptoms can be conceptualized as a new syndrome related to stepmother adjustment.
    • Understanding this normal adjustment reaction is crucial for effective intervention.
    • This research highlights the need for tailored support for stepmothers facing unique family challenges.