The Antecedents and Consequences of Adolescents' Relationships with Stepfathers and Nonresident Fathers

Valarie King, Pennsylvania State University

Using data from a sample of 1,149 adolescents in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health who have both a resident stepfather and a nonresident biological father, this study examines the prevalence, antecedents, and consequences of adolescents’ closeness to their stepfathers and nonresident fathers. Findings demonstrate that adolescents vary greatly in their ability to forge close relationships with one or both of their fathers, but when they can, they appear to benefit. Close relationships with both fathers are associated with better adolescent outcomes, with ties to stepfathers being somewhat more influential than ties to nonresident fathers.