A systematic review of correlates of stepparent–child relationship quality from children's perspectives: A 10‐year update

Abstract

Stepfamilies are common and warrant attention from family theorists, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The distinctness and centrality of stepparent–child relationships have prompted researchers to compile and synthesize study findings related to correlates of stepparent–child relationship quality. Building on a previous systematic review published in 2015, the purpose of this systematic review was to offer a 10‐year update and synthesis of research focused on correlates of stepparent–child relationship quality from children's perspectives in the United States. Four electronic databases were searched and nine academic journals with a family science orientation were reviewed from late‐2014 onward. Beginning with 462 potentially relevant records following deduplication, screening and review procedures yielded a final sample of 26 studies. Correlates of stepparent–child relationship quality from children's perspectives were grouped into one of the following six categories: individual characteristics, family characteristics, stepparent–child interaction, parent–child relational dynamics, stepcouple relational dynamics, and contextual factors. Limitations and implications are discussed.