Relational frames as mediators of everyday talk and relational satisfaction in stepparent–stepchild relationships

Abstract

This study tested the degree to which stepchildren’s relational frames operate as explanatory mechanisms for the positive association between everyday talk and relational satisfaction in stepparent–stepchild relationships. Participants included 127 stepparent–stepchild dyads from the Midwest and Southwest regions of the U.S. Results indicated that stepchildren’s everyday talk with their residential stepparent positively predicts their positive regard for the stepparent, the parental authority they grant the stepparent, and their affective certainty within the relationship. Bootstrapping analyses revealed significant indirect effects for both stepchildren’s and stepparents’ everyday talk on stepchildren’s relational satisfaction through stepchildren’s positive regard (i.e., an affiliation–disaffiliation frame). When combined, everyday talk and stepchildren’s relational frames account for 74% of the shared variance in stepchildren’s satisfaction with their stepparent.