Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 1998 A Study of the Internal Family Systems Model Applied to Remarried Couples of Stepfamilies in Different Stages of Adjustment Susan Marie Carter Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, and the Social Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Carter, Susan Marie, "A Study of the Internal Family Systems Model Applied to Remarried Couples of Stepfamilies in Different Stages of Adjustment" (1998). Dissertations. 264. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/264 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University School of Education A STUDY OF THE INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS MODEL APPLIED TO REMARRIED COUPLES OF STEPFAMILIES IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF ADJUSTMENT A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy b y - Susan Marie Carter June 1998 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 9 841471 Copyright 1998 by Carter, Susan Marie All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9841471 Copyright 1998, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Copyright by Susan M. Carter, 1998 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. A STUDY OF THE INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS MODEL APPLIED TO REMARRIED COUPLES OF STEPFAMILIES IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF ADJUSTMENT A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Susan Marie Carter APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: OVyq. -SLS. Chair: Nancy Carbonell Directoro t Graduate JeromeJj. Thayer -A a a - ^ - j - y ----- Member: Frederick Rosins’ ' Dean, Scho^ ducation Karen R. <jt \H. tW Thomas Holmes Date a Western Michigan University Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT A STUDY OF THE INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS MODEL APPLIED TO REMARRIED COUPLES OF STEPFAMILIES IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF ADJUSTMENT by Susan Marie Carter Chair: Nancy Carbonell Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH DISSERTATION Andrews University School of Education Title: A STUDY OF THE INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS MODEL APPLIED TO REMARRIED COUPLES OF STEPFAMILIES IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF ADJUSTMENT Name of researcher: Susan Marie Carter Name and degree of faculty chair: Nancy Carbonell. Ph.D. Date completed: June 1998 Problem Stepfamilies are becoming the largest family type in the United States. This has significant implications for understanding the complications of remarriage and providing clinical interventions that support the adjustment process of stepfamilies. The Internal Family Systems Model, developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, asserts that an individual’s personality is multiple naturally, and that there are interactions within the individual that have significant impact on their external systems. In applying the IFS model to the study of stepfamilies, this present study identifies the IFS maps of the partners of remarried couples active in stepfamily interaction and to determine how this IFS Map enhanced or detracted from stepfamily development. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Method A combined qualitative and quantitative study was designed. The Stepfamily Adjustment Scale, developed by Dr. Margaret Crosbie-Bumett, provided quantitative assessment of the stage of stepfamily adjustment. Stepfamilies were assessed qualitatively as to their stage of stepfamily adjustment as well. The IFS Map of each individual in stepfamily interaction was identified along with their access to Self. R esults Six stepfamilies were found to be in Stage II of stepfamily adjustment, two in Stage III, and two in Stage I. SAS results supported these qualitative conclusions, with one exception. IFS Maps disclosed both functional and extreme personality parts present in stepfamily interactions. Conclusions The ability to evoke Self leadership was found to be a significant factor in stepfamily adjustment with these stepfamilies. The SAS appeared to be a valid instrument in assessing stage of stepfamily adjustment, and more so when accompanied with a qualitative evaluation. Internal personality parts played a complex role in the adjustment process of these stepfamilies. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES................................................................... vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................... viii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 1 Why Study Stepfamilies ................................................................................... 1 Definition of Terms ......................................................................................... 5 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................... 8 Research Questions ......................................................................................... 9 Theoretical Foundation of the Study ........................................................... 9 Significance of the Study ............................................................................... 12 Limitations ....................................................................................................... 13 Organization of the Study .............................................................................. 13 II. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE..................................................................... 15 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 15 Two Paradigms of IFS: Systems Thinking and Multiplicity of the M in d .................................................................................................... 16 Internal Family Systems Model ...................................................................... 20 S elf............................................................................................................... 21 Personality Parts ....................................................................................... 23 Stepfamily Adjustment ................................................................................... 26 Remarriage...................................................................................................... 33 Sum m ary ......................................................................................................... 36 HI. METHODOLOGY................................................................................................. 37 Introduction ...................................................................................................