Which factor does NOT contribute to stepsibling rivalry?

• A. a feeling of "them" and "us"
• B. the ties children feel to their biological parent
• C. differential treatment by others
• D. the parents' psychic remarriage

Answer: (C)

In stepfamily dynamics, rivalry among stepsiblings tends to come from internal family processes: how children define themselves within the blended group, loyalty to their biological parent, and the emotional adjustments tied to forming a new parental alliance. The option that does not contribute is differential treatment by others, because rivalry is driven by how the family itself reorganizes roles, attention, and loyalties rather than how outsiders treat each child.

A sense of “them” and “us” emerges as children try to establish their place in the new family, which can create competition for status and parental attention. The ties children feel to their biological parent influence loyalty conflicts—each child may feel aligned with their birth parent in competing for closeness or resources. The parents’ psychic remarriage—the emotional shift as adults form a blended parental unit—adds ambiguity about loyalties, rules, and acceptance, fueling rivalry as everyone negotiates new boundaries. Together, these internal factors explain why rivalry often arises in stepfamilies.