Experiences of Adolescent Stepchildren in the Stepfamily Context in Ghana: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

Globally, family systems are being diversified as most children are no longer living with their biological parents due to divorce, remarriage, separation and unmarried personhood leading to a rise in stepfamilies. Despite the rise of stepfamilies in the sub-Saharan African countries, they have been largely under-studied, especially among the adolescent population. This study explored the nature of experiences and their determining factors as well as impact on adolescent stepchildren in the Ghanaian context. A purposive sample of 22 adolescents who were living or had lived in a stepfamily household in the Koforidua Metropolis of Ghana were interviewed; and their responses analyzed thematically. Findings show that stepchildren had both pleasant and unpleasant experiences which had psychological, social and academic implications to their wellbeing. Precipitating factors bothered on stepchildren’s conduct, lack of blood ties between stepchildren and stepfamilies and lack of prospective benefits to stepparents. These findings underscore the need for psychological interventions for adolescents within the stepfamily context to help address the unpleasant experiences that may negatively impact on their social and psychological wellbeing.