Stigma and the Step-Family

This study tested Stigma Management Communication (SMC) using stepparents as a proposed stigmatized group. SMC posits that people will perceive stigmatization differently, which will then effect how the stigmatized person communicates. To examine SMC, stepparents participated in the present study to determine their perceptions of stigmatization and stepfamily life. It appears that stepparents do perceive stigmatization of this role differently (i.e., acceptance, avoidance, evasion, and denial), however these differences were not related to outcomes of stepfamily life. Communication regarding the stepparent role with the martial partner was related to all five dimensions of the Stepfamily Life Index (i.e. dissension, involvement, avoidance, expressiveness, and flexibility). No differences in perception of stigmatization were reported between stepfathers and stepmothers.