Attachment A - 3M Cognitive Interview Instrument for Parents in Complex Families

Cognitive Interview Questionnaire

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Concern for Partner Wellbeing

Question 1.

Please answer the following questions based on your relationship with your current partner.

Question 1.	Yes	No
I can tell what stresses my partner is facing
I know my partner’s major aspirations and hopes in life.
I know my partner’s current major worries.
I know my partner pretty well.
My partner is familiar with my current life stresses.
My partner is familiar with my own hopes and aspirations.
My partner knows my current major worries.
I feel that my partner knows me pretty well.

Question 2.

Now please tell me how often you or your partner does the following things:

Question 2.	None of the time	Some of the time	Half of the time	Most of the time	All of the time
My partner helps me achieve my goals
My partner does whatever they can to make me happy
I help my partner achieve their goals.
I ask my partner what they want to do during their free time.
I think I know what my partner really wants in life
I care about the well being of my partner.
I hope that good things will happen for my partner.

Knowledge/Attitudes about Healthy Blended Family Relationships

Question 3.

Thinking about blended families in general, please circle the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements:

Would you say you strongly disagree, disagree, agree, or strongly agree that:

Question 3.	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
Love should develop quickly between a child and a stepparent.
Adjustment to living in a blended family should occur quickly.
Family members should feel close to one another soon after a new family forms.
Children should take priority over a new partner.
People who have divorced are likely to divorce again.
People who have had bad relationships can still build good relationships that last.
Romantic feelings for an ex-spouse/partner should end with a new relationship.
My partner has no business seeing their previous partner.
If my partner gets along with their previous partner, it would make me unhappy
Generally there is a feeling of happiness in my family.
Overall, there are more happy feelings, than unhappy feelings in my family.

Relationship and Marriage Attitudes and Expectations

Question 4.

Please report how much you agree or disagree with the following statements. Please select strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree.

Since taking this class:

Question 4.	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
I feel that my partner and I communicate better since taking this class.
I am more committed to our relationship since taking this class.
I feel disappointed in my relationship since taking this class.
I have given up on my relationship since taking this class.
My expectations for my relationship have increased since taking this class.
My expectations for my partner have increased since taking this class.
Since taking this class, my expectations for myself have increased since taking this class.
Since taking this class, I believe that working on this relationship can pay off.
I am less positive about my relationship since taking this class.
I feel more negative about my relationship since taking this class.

Question 5.

How likely is it that:

Question 5.	Much less likely	Somewhat less likely	About the same	Somewhat more likely	Much more likely
Your relationship can succeed
Your relationship can be happy
Your relationship can be good for your children
You will work to improve your relationship
Your partner will work to improve your relationship
You have the skills to make a relationship last.

Child’s Perception about Parent’s Role and Responsibilities

Question 6.

For each of these items, do you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the statement:

Question 6.	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
My child is confused about who their parents are.
My child is confused about who makes the rules.
My child is confused about whose rules to follow.
My child is confused about who has the authority to punish them.
My child is confused about who will pay for unexpected expenses.
My child is confused about which parent to ask permission to do things.

Blended family Co-Parenting

Question 7.

Below are a number of issues that may be experienced by blended families.

Please indicate how often you experience difficulty:

Question 7.	None of the time	Some of the time	Half of the time	Most of the time	All of the time
Clearly understanding my partner’s expectations about my role as a parent.
Establishing a relationship of trust with my partner’s children.
Disciplining my partner’s children.
Feeling I have “my” place in the family.
Knowing what to do when my partner’s children express negative feelings about me.

Co-Parenting Relationship with Previous Partners

Question 8.

The following statements are about [YOUR PRIOR PARTNER] and your involvement in the care of your children. Please answer if the statement is true none of the time, some of the time, half of the time, most of the time, or all of the time.

Question 8.	None of the time	Some of the time	Half of the time	Most of the time	All of the time
I believe [PREVIOUS PARTNER] is a good parent.
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] and I communicate well about our children.
I feel good about [PREVIOUS PARTNER]’s judgment about what is right for our children.
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] makes my job of being a parent easier.
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] and I are a good team.
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] knows how to handle children well.
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] is willing to make personal sacrifices to help take care of our children.
Talking to [PREVIOUS PARTNER] about our children is something I look forward to.
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] pays a great deal of attention to our children.
When there is a problem with the child(ren),[ PREVIOUS PARTNER] and I work out a good solution together;
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] acts like the kind of parent I want for my child(ren);
when I have to make rules for the child(ren), [PREVIOUS PARTNER] backs me up

Question 9.

Question 10.

When thinking of this question please include your biological, adoptive, and stepchildren.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement:

Question 10.	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
I could raise our kids just as well without [PREVIOUS PARTNER]

Question 11.

Now I would like to read you a list of issues that parents may have disagreements about. Please tell me how often you and your child’s other parent disagree about the following things:

Question11.	Often	Sometimes	Hardly Ever	Never
Setting rules for or disciplining the child(ren)
The activities that the child(ren) participate in
Who does child care tasks
The amount of time each parent spends with the child(ren)
How your child(ren) is/are raised
How you spend money on your child(ren)
How your previous partner spends money on your child(ren)

Question 12. Which of the following statements best describes your current relationship with your previous partner? Think about your relationship when it comes to parenting with your previous partner.

We generally get along pretty well.
We don’t get along too well.
We fight a lot and do not get along well.
We avoid seeing each other.

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