As evidence of the benefits of marriage preparation continues to mount, so does the importance of investigating the characteristics of the interventions that are most helpful and for whom. In a sample of 1,409 individuals, this study compares perceived helpfulness of four marriage preparation interventions: class, community/church sponsored…

Although much has been written about how to help couples negotiate regarding different spending styles or risk tolerance levels, less has been said about ways in which therapists can assist couples to understand each other's experience of distress regarding financial issues and find constructive individual and dyadic ways to reduce the distress.…

Previous studies (J. S. Carroll & W. J. Doherty, 2003) have asserted that premarital education programs have a positive effect on program participants. Using meta-analytic methods of current best practices to look across the entire body of published and unpublished evaluation research on premarital education, we found a more complex pattern of…

The present meta-analysis integrates results of 21 controlled couple-focused interventions with expectant and new parents. The interventions had, on average, small effects on couple communication (d = 0.28 standard deviation units) and psychological well-being (d = 0.21), as well as very small effects on couple adjustment (d = 0.09). Stronger…

Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) posits that emotional reactions to a partner's behavior can be as important to the relationship as the behavior itself. This study examined whether acceptance (a) is distinct from relationship sentiment, (b) mediates the link between a partner's behavioral frequency and own relationship satisfaction,…

Using daily diary data from 28 later life couples where one spouse had diabetes and osteoarthritis, we examined crossover effects of target spouses' daily activity limitations and their partners' daily mood. On days when target spouses' daily activity limitations were higher than average, partners' positive mood decreased and negative mood…

The current study examined the learning processes involved in professionally supported self-directed couple relationship education (CRE). Fifty-nine couples completed Couple CARE, a systematic, self-directed CRE program designed in flexible delivery mode to be completed at home. Couples watched a DVD introducing key relationship ideas and skills…

Asserts that considering ethical values of benevolence/nonmalevolence and respect for client autonomy raises questions about their limitations. Discusses extent to which marital and family therapists can or should adhere to these values; offers suggestions for possible changes. Argues that informed consent, respect for clients, and benevolence are…

Describes the history and development of the residential marriage and family therapy training program at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas. Discusses the initial approval and focus, financial support, staff, students, and the conflict between counseling and traditional psychiatric therapy. (JAC)

Professionals generally believe that couples who choose to attend marriage education programs are not as distressed as are clinical couples and that distressed couples are not good candidates for marriage education. We examined these assumptions in 129 married couples who enrolled in a PAIRS, Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills…

Notes that working with marital and family problems complicates the concept of therapeutic responsibility. Discusses several societal contributors to ethical dilemmas in contemporary family therapy and summarizes an ecological framework for therapy on the basis of which a profile of the ethical family therapist is derived. (Author/NB)

Views treatment of sexual addiction within context of addiction and family therapy. Presents a case of sexual addiction and explicates an intervention model which emphasizes the importance of family participation in the treatment. (Author/NB)

Describes and evaluates five comprehensive premarital assessment questionnaires that can be used in high school, university, and church settings by family life educators and premarital counselors. Major premarital assessments reviewed vary in coverage of premarital factors, number of items, and cost. These factors must be considered by counselors…

Considering the popularity of marriage enrichment programs, it is important for clinicians and marriage educators to know which programs have received empirical support. Using criteria established for determining empirically supported treatments (ESTs), we provide a comprehensive review of the outcome research on 13 specific marital enrichment…

Summarizes problems specific to remarrying families with children including complex kinship networks, ill defined roles, and financial and legal issues. Focuses on the family counselor's involving an attorney in services to remarrying families, with discussions of pre-marital agreements, inventories, living trust, estate planning, post-marital…