Herndon A, Combs L G
J Fam Pract. 1982 Nov;15(5):917-22.
Census figures point out the increase in the population of stepfamilies, families in which one adult is a stepparent. Since it is likely that family physicians will have more stepfamilies in their patient populations than in previous times, it is important for physicians to be aware of the characteristics of stepfamilies that are not present in intact nuclear families. These characteristic are (1) the formation of the stepfamily out of loss, (2) a common history of some family members, (3) a parent-child bond that predates the couple bond, (4) a biological parent elsewhere, (5) children as members of two households, and (6) the legal limitations of the step relationship. Functions the physician might be able to serve for the stepfamily as its members work on the tasks associated with each characteristics are described. Recommendations for residency training and resources for physician and patient education are given.
人口普查数据表明再婚家庭（即有一方成年人是继父母的家庭）的人口在增加。由于家庭医生的患者群体中可能会有比以往更多的再婚家庭，所以医生了解再婚家庭中那些在完整核心家庭中不存在的特征很重要。这些特征包括：（1）再婚家庭因失去而形成；（2）部分家庭成员有共同的历史；（3）亲子关系早于夫妻关系；（4）另一方有亲生父母；（5）孩子同时属于两个家庭；（6）继亲关系的法律限制。文中描述了医生在再婚家庭成员应对与每个特征相关的任务时可能提供的服务功能。还给出了住院医师培训的建议以及针对医生和患者教育的资源。
