Our results clearly demonstrate the heuristic value of a multivariate systems approach to understanding the effects of fathering and underscore the usefulness of the Doherty et al. (1998) theoretical framework for addressing these issues. The current study examined the links between fathering and adolescent adjustment among intact and stepfamilies in both European American and Mexican American families. Our work supports prior studies (Thomson et al., 1992), suggesting that parenting in stepfamilies is of lower quality, on average, as indexed by less involvement, monitoring, and acceptance than in intact families. Second, adolescents in stepfather families are at greater risk for adjustment problems than those living with two birthparents, which may be due to higher levels of stress felt among stepfamilies or differences in parenting (Hetherington, 2006). This finding is consistent with past research indicating more negative adjustment among children in stepfamilies (Amato & Keith, 1991). Most importantly, these general are evident in Mexican as well as European American families.
