107-01: Towards More Accurate Measures of Family Structure: Accounting for Sibling Complexity

In this paper, we argue that accounting for sibling complexity is a necessary step towards more accurate assessments of family structure. Using qualitative data from a grounded theory study, we first shed light on the complexity of sibling compositions through exemplar cases of half- and stepsiblings. Second, we explore the barriers to accounting for sibling complexity by analyzing the extent to which these complex constellations are captured in publicly available secondary datasets recently used to study families. Finally, we consider the implications of failing to account for sibling complexity in family research and offer recommendations for future data collection efforts.

107-02: Coparenting and Gatekeeping: Are They The Same Thing?

Although research and theory have focused more on coparenting and parental gatekeeping in recent years, the conceptual link among these constructs remains unclear. The authors suggest that gatekeeping is a unique aspect of coparenting that is contingent upon power imbalances and perceptions of power and control in coparental relationships and examine gatekeeping as a dynamic that varies across contexts. In line with family systems theory, gatekeeping is proposed as an indication of a dysfunctional coparental subsystem wherein one parent establishes control over one or more domains of childrearing in the absence of collaboration between coparents.

107-03: The Ecosystemic Masculinity Paradigm: An Existential Multi-Systemic Approach to Masculine Psychology

This paper proposes the Ecosystemic Masculinity Paradigm, which addresses the implications of traditional masculine ideology adherence from systemic and existential perspectives. Foundational theoretical work in masculine psychology provided the foundation for empirical research establishing the negative effect of traditional masculine ideology on a male’s individual and relational health. There is, however, a distinct lack of theoretical work considering the multi-systemic and existential factors that may contribute to continued adherence to traditional masculine ideology tenets despite ongoing individual and relational consequences for males. This paper proposes theoretical constructs that operationalize concepts such as belonging, isolation, ideology, and subjective experience to address this gap in masculine psychology. literature.