Two couples and one family who failed to show any progress during the course of structured enrichment programs were evaluated. It was concluded that the parents' or marital partners' inability to look at themselves critically was one reason for the failure. Discusses possible future research. (Author)

Traces the development of a rapid, easy to use, behaviorally oriented communication assessment scale. A series of studies designed to determine its validity, reliability, and usefulness as an outcome measure are summarized. The current and potential uses of the scale are outlined along with guidelines for its application. (Author)

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an approach for working with couples that focuses on the negative interaction cycles perpetuated by deep-seated emotional vulnerabilities. This therapy attempts to alleviate distress by intervening on an emotional level in order to promote more caring interactions that can enhance relationships. Proponents…

Investigated the effectiveness of communication training in treating marital discord for conjoint and conjoint group modalities. Results showed that conjoint couples (N=16) improved on five of seven outcome variables, while conjoint group couples (N=13) improved on two. One-year follow-up showed substantial reduction in treatment gains. (WAS)

Marriages of respondents that ended in divorce were not as good as marriages of other couples they had known nor did the marriage meet expectations held prior to entering into the relationship. The most frequent problem was unfaithfulness. (Author)

Two marriage counseling approaches were explored: (1) couples received counseling one hour per week for an indefinite time period; (2) couples were seen two hours biweekly for five visits. Couples receiving biweekly counseling reported more satisfaction and optimism and tended to be more committed to the counseling relationship. (DS)

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) for couples was compared to pharmacotherapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Both interventions were equally effective in symptom reduction. Results suggest EFT might be useful in the treatment of comorbid major depressive disorder and relational distress. (Contains 34 references and 1 figure.) (GCP)

Randomly assigned 79 couples seeking treatment for relationship distress to behavioral marital therapy, insight-oriented marital therapy or waiting list. Both therapies resulted in significant improvements in self-reports of global marital accord and, to lesser extent, in reduction of overall psychological distress and in enhancement of…

This study tested whether the observed marital interactions of partners following a marriage checkup predicted marital satisfaction 2 years later. In addition, this study examined whether recommendations to pursue therapy predicted subsequent treatment seeking and whether changes in marital distress following the checkup remained stable over 2…

Finding a qualified marriage and family therapist that the couple or family will be comfortable with requires some effort on the part of the consumer. There are many people out there who advertise themselves as marriage counselors or family therapists but do not have the credentials. The client must shop around, interview prospective therapists,…

The relationship between testing and counseling has been called "the marriage that failed." This article presents a form of marriage counseling, that is, a mode of test interpretation, that may assist counselors to utilize test results more effectively in counseling. (Author)

Examined the acceptability of four therapeutic models (i.e., behavioral, psychoanalytic, systems, and eclectic) used in treatment of marital discord. Subjects (N=88) evaluated four treatment sequences as they applied to a marital case history. Results showed that, among varying treatments, behavioral and systems approaches were rated more…

Reviews 19 research studies on the Minnesota Couple Communication Program (CCP) which indicates an immediate positive effect on communication behavior and relationship satisfaction. Found CCP does not alter reported levels of self-disclosure or self-esteem. Positive changes persisted in some studies, but evidence of the durability of effects is…

Reviews a number of inventories designed to measure dimensions of family systems theory and then provides a discussion of family systems assessment. Includes discussions of two couple's inventories, eight nuclear family inventories, and two family of origin inventories. Concludes that counselor educators must have understanding of marriage and…

Couples with chronically ill children are particularly at risk for experiencing marital distress. The study presented here is a 2-year follow-up of a randomized control trial that assessed the efficacy of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in decreasing marital distress in a sample of couples with a chronically ill child. Thirteen couples with…