Adult (step) parent-child relationships in complex families a latent profile analysis

This study identifies a typology of adult stepparent-child andbiological parent–child relationships by studying the structures inwhich relationship dimensions – affection, contact, support, andconflict – combine, building on the intergenerational solidarityparadigm. The existing literature on family complexity, which hasanalysed parent–child relationships one-dimensionally, andexclusively considered positive dimensions, requires a moreintegrated approach to describe the diverse landscape of(step)parent–child relationships. Using the OKiN anchor data,based on a stratified random sample of Dutch adults (aged 25–45),this study simultaneously analysed closeness, contact, support,and conflict in stepparent-child (N = 3,896) and biological parent–child relationships (N = 9,467), using latent profile analysis (LPA).These data provided adults’ reports on up to four relationships totheir (step)parents. LPA revealed four relationship profiles amongbiological parent–child as well as stepparent-child dyads:harmonious, ambivalent, detached, and conflictual. Onerelationship profile, disharmonious, was unique for step-dyads.Although the distribution over these profiles differs between step-dyads and biological dyads, it seems more strongly differentiatedby parental separation, co-residential history, and parental gender.This study reveals the multi-dimensional diversity that lies beneaththe comparison of averages of single dimensions of parent–childrelationships, and calls for more nuance in studying family ties.