The Effects of Stepsibling Relationships on Substance Abuse

Background and Purpose: Although much data has been collected concerning parent-child relationships in stepfamilies, few studies have examined and explored stepsibling relationships. More specifically, little research has been conducted regarding a child’s perceived quality of relationship with a stepsibling and his or her subsequent substance abuse.

The purpose of this study was to determine how the quality of a stepsibling relationship during childhood would influence substance abuse as an emerging adult. It was hypothesized that a poor quality stepsibling relationship would lead to substance abuse. A brief summary of Family Systems Theory provides the perspective through which the research question was analyzed.

Methods: In collaboration with Qualtrics, researchers at Brigham Young University (BYU) conducted the Stepfamily Experience Project (STEP) in 2013. Participants gave consent for the online survey. The data used to conduct this research came from this nationally based quota sample, which analyzed the retrospective experience of a stepchild as they grew up within a stepfamily environment, as well as current functioning as adults. Qualifying respondents included (n = 1,593) emerging adults (ages 18 to 30) who lived in a stepfamily between the ages of 8 and 18 years old.

After listwise deletion was used to exclude certain respondents for the purpose of this study, the final sample size was 1,235. In relation to sample demographics, about 44.21% of the respondents were male and 55.79% of the respondents were female. Roughly 10.10% of participants were African American/Black, 9.40% were Latino, 66.43% were White, and .54% were Other racial and ethnic identification.

Results: Data analysis reveals that the hypothesis was supported. Results indicated that as the quality of stepsibling relationships increase, substance abuse decreases. Siblings are capable of becoming sources of stress, thus becoming risk factors for negative consequences. Our results also suggested that females were less likely than males to participate in substance abuse. Those who identified as African American/Black were additionally found more likely to engage in substance abuse than their White counterparts. Hence, the gender and/or race/ethnicity of the child may influence stepsibling relationships and subsequent substance abuse.

As the number of biological residential siblings increased, the use of substances increased. Results also indicated that as stress from stepfamily formation increased, the likelihood of future substance abuse increased as well. When a family is composed of more members, children receive less individual attention and stress is created.

Conclusions and Implications: Findings can provide groundwork for social workers assisting stepfamilies—particularly children in stepfamilies. As social workers educate children on boundaries and how to form positive relationships with new stepfamily members, stepfamily formation will become a less difficult transition. Early intervention will impact the success of stepfamily relationships, as well as decrease risk factors for future substance abuse.