Building Steprelationships: Emerging Adult Stepchildrens' Perceptions and Experiences of their Stepparents

A grounded theory study was conducted with ten (7 female, 3 male) emerging-adults in stepfamilies to examine their perceptions and experiences of their stepparents, and what factors influence the development and maintenance of these steprelationships. Three primary categories emerged from the data: (1) Stepchildrens' perceptions of their stepparents presence in their lives, including both physical closeness and physical and emotional involvement (2) The perceived level of authenticity within the steprelationship, and (3) The level of clout stepchildren afforded to their stepparents' position within their lives and families. Additional factors found to influence the levels of presence, authenticity, and clout were stepchildrens' emotional maturity, cultural background, relationships with their biological parents, and feelings regarding the use and acquisition of money.

Gender Difference in Emotional and Behavioral Responses of Being Rendered Invisible

This study examined gender differences in emotional and behavioral responses to an experience of being invisible to others. Invisibility was defined as being ignored, slighted and overlooked by others. Participants recalled their own experience and answered questions about it and their responses on an anonymous web-based survey. Although such experiences could be very unpleasant, people may respond to such negative experiences very differently. It was hypothesized that in a patriarchal society like the United States in which men hold more power than women, that men would show emotion that was more aggressive such as anger, and respond more violently to incidents they were not respected. Women, on the other hand, were expected to be more subservient in their behavior and responses, show submissive emotions such as sadness, and respond less violently when they were not respected.