We examined the utility of naive ratings of communication patterns and relationship quality in a large sample of distressed couples. Untrained raters assessed 10-min videotaped interactions from 134 distressed couples who participated in both problem-solving and social support discussions at each of 3 time points (pre-therapy, post-therapy, and…

Few studies provide specific rates of marital divorce or separation in association with a history of infidelity. Research based primarily from clinical or help-seeking populations suggests that most couples who have experienced infidelity do not divorce within the time frames assessed. Using self-reported history of extramarital sex (EMS),…

Premarital education has been found to be an effective way to reduce risk factors of divorce, yet limited research existed on the use of premarital education with individuals who divorced and later remarried. Thus, remarrying couples, already at a higher risk of divorce than couples entering their first marriage, may be entering remarriage…

Research on divorce during the past decade has focused on a range of topics, including the predictors of divorce, associations between divorce and the well-being of children and former spouses, and interventions for divorcing couples. Methodological advances during the past decade include a greater reliance on nationally representative…

Objective: To follow distressed married couples for 5 years after their participation in a randomized clinical trial. Method: A total of 134 chronically and seriously distressed married couples were randomly assigned to approximately 8 months of either traditional behavioral couple therapy (TBCT; Jacobson & Margolin, 1979) or integrative…

Discusses the role of the therapist in co-mediation of a divorce with a lawyer. Includes lawyer's expectations, differences from couple therapy, couples' expectations, kinds of appropriate and effective interventions, and creative mediation techniques. Demonstrates how two professionals can build a satisfying professional relationship. (Author/ABL)

Describes common characteristics of 13 cases in which one marital partner initiated therapy because the other partner was undecided about continuing their marriage. Initiating clients wanted their marriages to continue even if they were unrewarding and saw themselves as helpless victims. Clients who could turn their attention from the ambivalent…

In-depth interviews were conducted with 21 clergymen highly involved in assisting divorcing couples, in an attempt to discern their attitudes toward intervention in divorce. Respondents viewed divorce as a traumatic experience involving four discrete psychological stages. (Author)

This report summarizes and compares the views of expert groups of lawyers, psychotherapists, and clergy on the divorcing process and the role of the professional in assisting the divorcing. There was considerably greater difference of opinion on these issues among the lawyers than among either the therapists or clergy. (Author)

Presents a theoretical model that focuses attention on the multiple arenas of life that are disrupted by divorce, the emotional stages of divorce, and the interpersonal dynamics of separating couples. Discusses the implications of these factors for strategically planning and carrying out the mediation process. (Author/ABB)

Tested the reliability and validity of the Marital Status Inventory (MSI), a measure of divorce potential (N=241 couples). Compound probability for five clinical sites supported the contention that, overall, wives' are more distressed than their husbands. The MSI was also able to identify couples who later divorced. (JAC)

Discusses the fast growing profession of mediation for couples undergoing separation and divorce. Discusses questions of consumers concerning how the process works, how long it takes, and its costs and questions of professionals, concerning the process, the qualifications of mediators, and referral for mediation. (Author/ABB)

Administered personality tests to groups selected to represent the various stages of the divorce process. Results indicated intensified feelings of depression, anxiety, and hostility as subjects entered marriage counseling. However, by the sixth to twelfth month after the divorce, most of these negative feelings had disappeared. (Author)

Study examined attitudes of adolescents toward aspects of marriage and family life. The majority expressed negative attitudes toward divorce and viewed marriage as a lifelong commitment. While about one third expressed positive attitudes toward premarital sex, a majority indicated they would engage or had engaged in sex. The adolescents…

Presented at a meeting of the Training Committee of the Family Institute of Philadelphia, November 28, 1973. This article is a response to the concern over high divorce rates. (EK)