Research and Insights
Research That Informs Practice
Understanding the financial lives of blended families requires looking beyond traditional financial planning approaches. Family structure, relationships, financial obligations, and individual experiences can all influence financial decisions.
The Blended Family Financial Institute™ connects academic research with professional practice. Through original scholarship and research from related disciplines, we explore how financial professionals can better understand and serve blended families.
Featured Research
Financial Infidelity in Blended Families
Published in the Journal of Financial Therapy (2024)
Financial transparency and trust can take on additional complexity in blended families. This research examines financial infidelity within blended family relationships and contributes to understanding the intersection of financial behavior, family dynamics, and trust.
Implications for Practice
Financial professionals should consider how family relationships, financial expectations, and competing obligations may influence financial disclosure and communication between partners.
The Psychology of Estate Planning in Blended Families
Published in the Journal of Financial Planning (2022)
Estate planning in blended families involves more than distributing assets. This research examines the relationship between family dynamics and estate planning decisions, including how individuals consider spouses, children, and other family members.
Implications for Practice
Professionals can benefit from exploring clients’ family relationships, intentions, and perceptions of fairness before developing estate planning recommendations.
Financial Satisfaction and Blended Family Structures
Preprint
Family structure may shape how individuals experience and evaluate their financial circumstances. This research area explores the relationship between blended family structures and financial satisfaction.
Implications for Practice
Understanding household composition and financial responsibilities can help professionals avoid assuming that all families experience financial well-being in the same way.
Research Into Practice
Research becomes especially valuable when professionals can apply it to their work.
BFFI is developing articles that translate scholarly findings into accessible, practical insights. These articles will examine what research tells us, what its limitations are, and how it may inform client conversations and financial planning decisions.
Topics will include financial communication, estate planning, financial well-being, competing family obligations, and the role of relationships in financial decision-making.
Research From Related Disciplines
Financial planning does not provide all the answers to understanding blended families.
Research from family studies, psychology, financial therapy, health sciences, and related disciplines can provide valuable perspectives on family relationships, communication, adjustment, and decision-making.
BFFI will highlight relevant findings from these fields and explore their implications for financial professionals, with links to the original scholarly publications.
Explore More Research
For a broader collection of publications, scholarly presentations, and ongoing research, visit the research section of Dr. Mikel Van Cleve’s professional website.