Latent profile analysis of family and school supports among Chinese adolescents in stepfamilies

Abstract

Divorce and remarriage rates have increased dramatically in China, and more children live in stepfamilies. There remain valuable opportunities to understand the various family and school assets that support the well-being of Chinese youth amid family structural transitions, such as the transition to stepfamily life. Using latent profile analysis, the current study seeks to identify patterns of youth support using seven family-related variables and two school-related variables as indicators among a sample of Chinese youth (N = 269; $M_{\mathrm{age}}$ = 14 years; 129 females and 117 males) residing with a parent and stepparent. Four profiles were identified: low support, academic focus/low support, moderate support, and high support. Results further demonstrated that youth in the moderate support profile had significantly better well-being outcomes compared to youth in the low support or academic focus/low support profiles; demographic characteristics such as low SES families and parents with lower education backgrounds were associated with the low support profile; and stepfamilies with stepfathers were overrepresented in the moderate support profile, whereas stepfamilies with stepmothers were overrepresented in the low support and academic focus/low support profiles. These findings can inform the development of interventions intended to bolster the well-being of Chinese adolescents in stepfamilies.