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.	None of the time	Some of the time	Half of the time	Most of the time	All of the time
I can tell what current stressors my partner is facing.
I know my partner’s major goals in life.
I know my partner’s current major challenges.
My partner is familiar with my current life stressors.
My partner is familiar with my major goals in life.
My partner knows my current major challenges.

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.
My partner and I talk about what we want to do when we have free time.
I know what my partner really wants in life.
I care about the well being of my partner.
My partner and I communicate about our family’s safety.

Knowledge/Attitudes about Healthy Blended Family Relationships

Question 3.

Thinking about blended families in general, please mark 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’s wishes are more important than a new partner’s wishes.
Children’s needs are more important than a new partner’s needs.
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.

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.
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 more positive about my relationship since taking this class.
I feel more negative about my relationship since taking this class.

Question 5.

Since taking this class, 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 be happy.
Your relationship can succeed.
Your relationship can be good for your children.
You have the skills to make your relationship last.
You will work to improve your relationship.
Your partner will work to improve your relationship.

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.

Question 7.	None of the time	Some of the time	Half of the time	Most of the time	All of the time
I find it difficult to clearly understand my partner’s expectations about my role as a parent.
I find it difficult to establish a relationship of trust with my partner’s children.
I find it difficult to discipline my partner’s children.
I find it difficult to feel I have “my” place in the family.
I find it difficult to know 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 their current involvement in the care of your child(ren). 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.	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
I believe [PREVIOUS PARTNER] is a good parent.
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] and I communicate well about our child(ren).
I feel good about [PREVIOUS PARTNER]’s judgment about what is right for our child(ren).
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] makes being a parent easier.
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] and I are a good team.
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] knows how to handle child(ren) well.
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] is willing to make personal sacrifices to help take care of our child(ren).
I look forward to talking to [PREVIOUS PARTNER] about our child(ren).
[PREVIOUS PARTNER] pays a great deal of attention to our child(ren).
When there is a problem with the child(ren),[ PREVIOUS PARTNER] and I try to 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.

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

Question 9.	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
We could raise my child(ren) just as well without [PREVIOUS PARTNER].

Question 10.

Now I would like to read you a list of issues that parents may have disagreements about. Please tell me how often you and [PREVIOUS PARTNER NAME] disagree when you talk about the following things.

Question 10. How often do you DISAGREE about:	Often Disagree	Sometimes Disagree	Hardly Ever Disagree	Never Disagree	We Don’t Talk About This
Setting rules for or disciplining the child(ren).
The activities that the child(ren) participate in.
Who takes care of the child(ren).
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).

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