Adult Stepchildren’s Uncertainty Management in Later Life Stepfamilies: Illuminating the Role of Context, Intentionality, Collaboration, and Information Implications

Abstract

Increasing divorce and remarriage rates among middle and older aged adults has resulted in an uptick of later life stepfamilies (LLSF). Despite these growing numbers, research often focuses on stepfamily development in adolescence, leaving lingering questions about how adult stepchildren navigate this transition, including grappling with uncertainties. Guided by uncertainty management theory, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 26 adult stepchildren (ASC). Thematic analysis revealed four primary information acquisition strategies: (a) strategic information seeking, (b) strategic information avoiding, (c) incidental information acquisition, and (d) information ambivalence. Further, ASC’s information acquisition tactics are informed by contextual factors germane to LLSFs (e.g., proximity), vary by degree of intentionally, are collaborative in nature, and are connected to relational implications. Together, our findings result in a conceptual model of LLSF uncertainty management that extends understanding of uncertainty management within family systems.