An Overview of Research on Stepfamilies

This paper discusses the current conditions of research on stepfamilies in the United States. Hundreds of articles on stepfamily research are published every year, which proves that step family has recently become a significant theme for family studies in North America. While many of these articles examine influence that remarriage has to children in the family, the field of stepfamily studies has spread into clinical psychology, family life education, and policy studies. Such professional organizations as National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) serve as common ground for researchers of stepfamily studies to collect information and cultivate network beyond their own field. Subsequent research is expected to expand their field of study into various population groups, different family relationships, and similar situations in other nations. Stepfamily studies in Japan is still at an initial stage. However, even without such organization as NCRF, the existing organizations in Japan are certainly capable of constructing network among various study groups. Adapted from the source document.