Types and Attributes of Stepparent-Adolescent Interaction: A Qualitative Analysis

This study explores the characteristics of stepparent-adolescent interaction as experienced by emerging adults who lived with a stepparent as they progressed through adolescence. Data were collected using in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The sample included 18 socio-demographically diverse emerging adults (i.e., ages 18-25) who acquired and lived with a stepparent at some point from age 10 onward. Reflexive thematic analysis yielded 14 distinct stepparent-adolescent interaction types: tending to adolescent's academic activities, tending to adolescent's extracurricular activities, tending to adolescent's personal and social life, tending to family relationship dynamics, stepparent providing emotional support, stepparent providing practical support, stepparent involvement in discipline, stepparent-adolescent conflict, stepparent self-disclosure, engaging in instrumental tasks or family routines, engaging in recreational activities, casual touchpoints, expressing affection, and adolescent providing support. Analysis also yielded 10 distinct stepparent-adolescent interaction attributes: social context, tone, agency, fluidity, timing, function, depth, benefit, interest, and initiative. Practical implications and directions for future research are discussed.