Although some people fantasize about their spouse's possible death, the literature contains no reports of research on widowhood fantasies. The incidence, characteristics, and possible function of these fantasies were examined in individual interviews with 28 divorced and married men and women. Interview data were analyzed by calculating chi-square…

In Nigeria, various forms of polygamy and monogamy are practiced; however, monogamy is more or less practiced by many Christians and a greater percentage of younger men. A survey of marital success and failure was conducted with samples of Nigerian Diploma students and selected educated community members. Subjects completed two instruments, the…

Based on previous research on cohabitation and Levinger's model of marital cohesiveness and dissolution, the hypothesis that a higher level of violence exists in ongoing marriages than in ongoing cohabitating relationships was investigated. Data from a national sample of 2,143 adults did not support this hypothesis. Instead the reverse was found,…

Behavioral and perceptual differences among maritally distressed and nondistressed husbands and wives were investigated. Distressed couples beginning marital therapy and nondistressed couples solicited through community newspapers comprised the criterion groups which were matched for major demographic variables. Couples first enacted and then…

Explores the effects of family structure during the teenage years on the likelihood of marriage later using data from two national longitudinal surveys of young people. Results indicated that childhood family patterns do influence later family formation. Sons and daughters and Blacks and Whites are affected somewhat differently. (JAC)

This study examined the effects of marital violence on children's relationships with parents, peers, and teachers. Forty-eight 4-year-olds and their parents participated in two laboratory sessions: one with all three family members and one with the child alone with several unfamiliar peers. Half of the marital couples were physically violent,…

This research was conducted at a Canadian suicide prevention center. The object of the study was to find useful information concerning high school students in the perspective of developing a suicide prevention program in the schools. All 23 local high schools contributed to this study on suicidal ideation and behavior. Subjects (N=2,546) responded…

Family sources of stress and conflict are important variables in the well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults. In this study, current models of stress are contrasted with earlier versions, definitions are reviewed, and ambiguities in conceptualization are brought out. Current research on affective information processing is thought to…

One of the most dramatic changes in the American culture in recent years is the emergence of a family unit experiencing stages of disruption and reorganization as a common pattern. The stereotypical middle-class, suburban family continues to exist, but other variations of families exist also, family units for which past guidelines and assumptions…

Spouse abuse research has indicated that marital violence occurs in all age groups, among all races, and in all levels of education and social class. To provide further information by comparing battered and exbattered women, 18 battered and 14 exbattered women completed a questionnaire about themselves and their assailants. Information was…

The effects of business transfers on families were studied through family impact analysis. A small sample (10 couples) of dual-career and dual-worker couples was utilized for the project. The sample was unusual in that both partners were employed by the same company. Four areas were examined for possible impacts of a transfer on the family: family…

To investigate the relationship between soap opera viewership and sexual and relational perceptions, telephone interviews were conducted with 209 female college students. Quota sampling was used to complete a ratio of two telephone interviews with soap opera viewers for every one with a nonviewer. For sampling purposes, a viewer was defined as…

Recently more attention has been focused on elder abuse, with laws enacted requiring reporting of this crime. Since service providers often do not recognize elder abuse, a validated screening tool for elder abuse is needed. A screening tool called the Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Protocol has been developed and is currently being…

An exploratory investigation was conducted to examine the nature and severity of marital problems as perceived by 211 employed married women in a small southern city, and the use of formal and informal social support systems in dealing with these problems. Responses to questionnaires exploring these issues were analyzed, revealing that problems…

A team consisting of a school psychologist, a social worker, and two school counselors developed a program in Newton, Massachusetts to deal with children's problems resulting from their parents' separations and divorces. School staff was surveyed and interest was reported in the following areas of separation and divorce issues: (1) knowing more…