Stepfamilies in family practice.

Stepfamilies have several important structural features and developmental milestones that differ from the nuclear family: complex relationships, ambiguous roles and expectations for family members, wide variety of previous family experiences for the various members, changes in support group and living arrangements, unresolved grief, and lack of institutional support. These features influence physical and mental health. The family physician must be aware of how stepfamily problems are likely to present and how to assist the stepfamily members with their problems. This paper describes an approach to recognition and management of stepfamily problems, anticipatory guidance for prevention of problems, and a number of patient education resources.