Perceived understanding and self-disclosure in the stepparent-stepchild relationship.
The relationship between self-disclosure and perceived understanding in the stepparent-stepchild relationship was investigated. Stepchildren (N = 165) completed a questionnaire about their communication with their stepparents. Participants reported on their self-disclosure (intentionality, amount, positiveness, depth, and honesty) and their feelings of being understood by their stepparents. The results showed that self-disclosure was positively related to perceived understanding. This was especially true for the relationship between honesty of self-disclosure and perceived understanding. Analyses involving gender of the individuals in the stepchild-stepparent dyad showed several differences. The relationship between self-disclosure and perceived understanding was more significant for stepdaughters than for stepsons.
D000300:Adoption / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires