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The dyad is not enough: Third-party mediation as a precondition for cohesion in long-term step relationships
Stockholm University.
University of Gävle.
2021 (English)In: Sociologisk forskning, ISSN 0038-0342, E-ISSN 2002-066X, Vol. 58, no 3, p. 217-242Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The increasing prevalence of ageing stepfamilies and the potential of stepchildren to act as a source of support for older parents have increased the interest in long-term intergenerational step relationships. Applying a life-course perspective combined with Simmel’s theorizing on social dynamics, this exploratory study aims to investigate the preconditions for cohesion in long-term intergenerational step relationships. The study is based on interviews with 13 older parents, aged 66–79, who have raised both biological children and stepchildren. Retrospective life-course interviews were used to capture the development of step relationships over time. Interviews were analysed following the principles of analytical induction. The results reveal four central third-party relationships that are important for cohesion in intergenerational step relationships over time, involving: (1) the intimate partner; (2) the non-residential parent; (3) the bridge child; and (4) the stepchild-in-law. The findings have led to the conclusion that if we are to understand the unique conditions for cohesion in long-term intergenerational step relationships, we cannot simply compare biological parent–child dyads with step dyads, because the step relationship is essentially a mediated relationship.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Huddinge: Sveriges Sociologförbund , 2021. Vol. 58, no 3, p. 217-242
Keywords [en]
life course, linked lives, mediating relationships, older step-parents, step relationships
National Category
Sociology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:du-39037DOI: 10.37062/sf.58.22041OAI: oai:DiVA.org:du-39037DiVA, id: diva2:1619765
Note

Sociologisk Forsknings digitala arkiv

Available from: 2021-12-14 Created: 2021-12-14 Last updated: 2022-05-10Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
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Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • chicago-author-date
  • chicago-note-bibliography
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
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