Second marriages are known to be more fragile than first marriages. To better understand the factors that contribute to this fragility, this qualitative study compared stepfamilies that stayed together with those that separated by collecting interview data from one adult in each of the former (n = 31) and latter (n = 26) stepfamilies. Data were…

This study explored the association between household financial arrangements and relationship quality using a representative sample of low-income couples with children. We detailed the banking arrangements couples utilize, assessed which factors relate to holding a joint account versus joint and separate, only separate, or no account, and analyzed…

This study reports on in-depth interviews with 57 highly religious, middle-aged married couples representing the major Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) residing in New England and Northern California. The study uses grounded theory methods to create themes and a model describing the ways that religiosity influences marital conflict.…

Reviews 35 cases involving contested child custody and visitation and generalizes about the techniques used by experienced divorce mediators to help couples reach resolutions to their differences. Discusses different ways mediators orient couples to mediation, gain their commitment, identify the issues, overcome emotional obstacles and generate…

Explores the impact and consumer satisfaction associated with participation in a parent education program, Kids in Divorce and Separation (K.I.D.S.), that specifically focuses on divorce and parental conflict. Results indicate that participation in the program has positive effects on parents' self-reported knowledge and behavior with regard to…

Used national representative sample of persons who date to examine processes surrounding use and receipt of rational, verbally aggressive, and physically aggressive tactics in disputes. Results showed that women were at least as likely as men to engage in physical disputes. Young, lower class, and those who drank before a conflict were more prone…

Explores the relationship between couples' stable personality variables associated with interpersonal competencies and marital satisfaction with conflict resolution style as the mediating factor. Results indicate strong mediational effects across time. The relationship personality variables correspond closely with conflict resolution styles, which…

Proposes that premarital education efforts can reduce marital distress and divorce. Using a combination of rational argument and empirical findings, four key benefits of premarital education are discussed: (a) it fosters deliberation; (b) it sends the message that marriage matters; (c) it make seeking help an option; and (d) it may lower risk for…

Investigated how female parents in dual-career families view their roles. Compared the effectiveness of two strategies for dealing with conflict. Subjects using a role redefinition strategy did not differ from subjects using a role expansion strategy in self-reports of role conflict and coping effectiveness. (Author)

This study examined the influence of challenge-based recreation on the collective efficacy of families with at-risk adolescents. Thirty-four families participated in one of three experimental groups and a control group. Collective family recreation efficacy and conflict resolution efficacy increased for families in all three recreation contexts.…

Administered questionnaire using Straus' Conflict Tactics Scale subscores to determine impact of gender, level of emotional commitment, and interactive status on subscores. Results from 535 college students suggest that violence in relationships occurs much earlier in the development of emotional commitment than had been suggested earlier.…

Notes that research on elder abuse highlights importance of communication and conflict resolution in families of older people, and that few prevention programs are available for use with community groups. Reviews literature on elder abuse and describes an educational curriculum designed to prevent abuse and neglect in families of the elderly.…

Examined the extent and nature of employer workplace initiatives based on interviews with New Orleans (Louisiana) employers. Bolstered other research findings of progress but continued limited workplace implementations of formal, family-supportive programs. Found modifications of formal and informal policies extended organizational family…

Reviews the research literature on children's experience of the restructuring of the family following divorce. The effects of divorce are organized according to differences observed as a function of the child's age and gender, parental conflict, post-divorce family stability, and parent-child relationships. Conflict reducing custody arrangements…

Outlines conceptual distinction among avoidance, cooperation, and competitive conflict resolution strategies used by marital partners. Couples (N=43) were audiotaped as they discussed previous disagreements. Found the temporal aspects of speech, including turn-taking and interruptions, need to be considered in the study of couples' conflict…