Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2005

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department / School

Sociology and Rural Studies

Abstract

This study develops, tests, and evaluates the structural identity control model to explain variations in stepmothers' self-feelings of authenticity, competence, and worth. The model is based on recent identity theories, especially the identity control model developed by Burke (1991) and his associates (Burke and Stets 1994, 1996). The models argue that the verification of stepmother's person, role and social identities produce high levels of self-authenticity, self-competence, and self-worth. The model was tested with data on a sample of 111 respondents collected by Penor Ceglian (1997). It was found that feeling like a wicked stepmother, spousal disagreement over rearing of his children, and orientational others' rejection of her stepfamily are negatively correlated with self-feelings. Moreover, it was found that interactions with stepchildren are positively associated with self-authenticity, self-competence, and self worth. However, measures of identity salience and disruptions of the verification process weakened these relationships. Regression analysis revealed that salience of person identity and feeling like a wicked stepmother are the best predictors of self-authenticity; interactions with stepchildren, salience of role identity, spousal disagreement, and marital power are good predictors of self-competence; and orientational others' rejection of the stepfamily was the only good predictor of variations in self-worth. The results helped to clarify the verification process. The author suggests that the role of marital power needs to be explored in more detail.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Stepmothers -- Psychology

Self-perception

Identity (Psychology)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

158

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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