A Phenomenological Exploration of the Experience of Parenting Half-Siblings Within a Blended Family Nicole Josephsen Antioch University - Seattle
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Antioch University AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive Student & Alumni Scholarship, including Dissertations & Theses Dissertations & Theses 2015 A Phenomenological Exploration of the Experience of Parenting Half-Siblings Within a Blended Family Nicole Josephsen Antioch University - Seattle Follow this and additional works at: http://aura.antioch.edu/etds Part of the Clinical Psychology Commons, and the Family, Life Course, and Society Commons Recommended Citation Josephsen, Nicole, "A Phenomenological Exploration of the Experience of Parenting Half-Siblings Within a Blended Family" (2015). Dissertations & Theses. 196. http://aura.antioch.edu/etds/196 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Student & Alumni Scholarship, including Dissertations & Theses at AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive. 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A Phenomenological Exploration of the Experience of Parenting Half-Siblings Within a Blended Family A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Antioch University Seattle Seattle, WA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree Doctor of Psychology By Nicole Josephsen January 2015 A Phenomenological Exploration of the Experience of Parenting Half-Siblings Within a Blended Family This dissertation, by Nicole Josephsen, has been approved by the committee members signed below who recommend that it be accepted by the faculty of the Antioch University Seattle at Seattle, WA in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY Dissertation Committee: Liang Tien ___________________________ Liang Tien, Psy.D., ABPP Chairperson Molly Reid ___________________________ Molly Reid, Ph.D., ABPP Tona McGuire ___________________________ Tona McGuire, Ph.D. February 10, 2015 ___________________________ Date ii © Copyright by Nicole Josephsen, 2015 All Rights Reserved iii Abstract A Phenomenological Exploration of the Experience of Parenting Half-Siblings Within a Blended Family Nicole Josephsen Antioch University Seattle Seattle, WA Blended families are a growing population and encompass a diversity of characteristics and family types. Among the different types of blended families are those with both stepchildren and mutual children. Research on the complex experience of parenting a mutual genetic child and a stepchild within a blended family is minimal. To better understand the unknown experience of such parents, this phenomenological study was conducted to provide an in depth description of the experience of simultaneously parenting mutual children and stepchildren within a blended family. In this phenomenological study the researcher conducted interviews with six participants who varied by gender, socioeconomic status, and age. The researcher followed Giorgi’s (2009) phenomenological method of data analysis. The findings of this study fit into six themes about these parents’ experiences of parenting half-siblings, including: I can parent, My children get along, We miss you, Let’s talk, It’s challenging and rewarding, and Different experiences. Among the conclusions of this research was the high value parents placed on the half-sibling relationship. Parents shared observations about their stepchildren taking time to adjust to the birth of the mutual child, half-siblings missing each other during visitations, and helping their mutual children navigate their experience and understanding of the stepchild’s visitations. Thus this research provided a rich iv description of the experience of parenting stepchildren and mutual children within a blended family. Such information might help inform custody arrangements as they affect the half-sibling relationship, evidence-based interventions, and family education in support of parents in blended families. The electronic version of this dissertation is at OhioLink ETD Center, www.ohiolink.edu/etd v Acknowledgments I would like to thank my committee members, Dr. McGuire, Dr. Reid, and Dr. Tien for helping to make this research project a reality, and for contributing their valuable time and insights throughout this process. This project was also made possible by the daily and unwavering support of my husband. I would also like to thank my friends and family for believing in me. Thank you all for helping me to complete this great feat. vi Table of Contents Page Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................. vi List of Tables .................................................................................................................... vii I. Introduction ..................................................................................................................1 II. Literature Review .........................................................................................................4 Blended Families ..................................................................................................5 Blended Families With Half-Siblings .................................................................17 III. Phenomenological Methodological Approach ...........................................................21 Philosophy of Phenomenology ...........................................................................21 Phenomenological Research Design ...................................................................26 Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research ............................................................32 IV. Project Method ...........................................................................................................36 Research Question ..............................................................................................36 Research Design ..................................................................................................36 Participants ..........................................................................................................37 Data Collection ...................................................................................................41 Materials .............................................................................................................45 Data Management and Analysis .........................................................................45 Bracketing ...........................................................................................................48 V. Results .......................................................................................................................51 I Can Parent .........................................................................................................51 My Children Get Along ......................................................................................56 We Miss You ......................................................................................................59 vii Let’s Talk About It ..............................................................................................65 It’s Challenging and Rewarding .........................................................................70 Different Experiences .........................................................................................75 The Researcher’s Biases .....................................................................................78 VI. Discussion ..................................................................................................................80 Summary of Findings ..........................................................................................80 Current Research .................................................................................................91 Limitations ..........................................................................................................95 Clinical Implications ...........................................................................................96 Recommendations ...............................................................................................98 Future Research ..................................................................................................99 Conclusion ........................................................................................................101 References ........................................................................................................................103 Appendix A: Screening Protocol .....................................................................................108 Appendix B: Interview Protocol ......................................................................................111 Appendix C: Consent Form .............................................................................................114 Appendix D: Recruitment Advertisement .......................................................................118 viii List of Tables Page 1. Sample Variation ...........................................................................................................38 2. Participant Demographics ..............................................................................................39 3. Example of Step 3 of Giorgi and Giorgi (2003) Data Analysis .....................................47 4. I Can Parent ....................................................................................................................81