Factors Affecting the Perceived Helpfulness of Therapy with Stepfamilies

Abstract

This article examines gender-related differences in clients' perceptions of the effectiveness of the therapeutic process in facilitating stepfamily adjustment. Data from the membership of the Stepfa-mily Association of America was analyzed to examine what 292 clients reported as helpful and unhelpful aspects of therapy by gender of client, gender of therapist, and gender pairings. Results of analysis of variance and chi-square analyses indicated no gender-related differences in clients' general assessment of the therapy experience. However, various gender-related aspects of therapy reported as helpful and unhelpful did differ, including the affective nature of the therapy experience and clients' perception of therapists' ability to facilitate clients' gaining specific skills.