Discourses of forgiveness and resilience in stepchild–stepparent relationships

ABSTRACT

Challenges and conflicts experienced by stepfamilies are well documented, but researchers are increasingly focused on communication processes that facilitate resilience in these relationships. In other contexts, communicating forgiveness has been linked to relational healing after transgressions or adversity. In the current study, the researchers sought to understand how stepchildren talk about the role of forgiveness in the development of positive adult stepchild–stepparent relationships. Data were drawn from interviews with adult stepchildren who have a positive relationship with a stepparent. Following an interpretive analysis, the researchers identified five themes representing the ways forgiveness was conceptualized and enacted in these positive stepchild–stepparent relationships: forgiveness as (a) healing family connections, (b) explicit negotiation, (c) maturation and acceptance, (d) a response to vulnerability and compassion, and (e) evidence of relational growth. Theoretical and practical applications for understanding and fostering resilient stepfamilies and the role of forgiveness are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Stepfamily
• forgiveness
• resilience
• qualitative analysis
• relational discourse

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank colleagues involved in initial data collection for the study: Jordan Allen, Gretchen Bergquist, Katie Storck, Nathan Swords, and Carol Tschampl-Diesing, and the participants for sharing insights into their stepfamily experiences.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.