Examines the age-at-marriage/marital instability relationship in a national sample (N=1,715). Results suggested that the relationship could be largely explained by inadequate role performance, though the specific inadequacies in performance differed somewhat for the early and later marrieds. (NRB)

Examines biblical issues (spouse roles, separation and divorce, forgiveness, faith) that are of concern to battered women from fundamentalist Christian backgrounds. Offers counselors suggestions on how to address them. (Author/ABL)

Tested model of family structure and process using 133 children where both divorced parents remained in children's lives about 3 years after separation. Found role diffusion, lack of coparental alliance, parental boundary problems, parent-child rejection associated with reduced social competence and behavioral difficulties (especially in boys and…

Attempted to validate previously identified classification of divorce attorneys as Counselors or Advocates and to assess practitioner attitudes towards divorce reform. Found that concordance rate for classification was not statistically different from chance. Concerning attitudes, most respondents expressed dissatisfaction with current legal…

Taped interviews from 200 women shows divorce as a traumatic life crisis for women that leades to depression and feelings of hopelessness, if not suicide. Emotional stress from separation and divorce for women is compounded by inadequate role development which prevents their subsequent integration into society. (Author)

Notes that mediation as problem-solving intervention in social work became widely used in child custody and divorce cases, child-parent conflicts, and family disputes. Argues that mediator role is inherent in social work, and examines context for and assumptions underlying it. Discusses nature of conflicts, issue of neutrality within social work…

Many states are adopting joint custody legislation to support continued relationships between children of parental divorce and both of their biological parents. This study examined the effects of joint versus maternal legal custody, whether or not the stepfather had biological children from a prior marriage, and the sex and age of an adolescent on…

Family processes associated with childhood role reversal and related adult outcomes were examined in a community sample 128 adults using a semistructured interview exploring family, friend, and romantic relationships. Women showed stronger role reversal than men, and role reversal was stronger with mothers than with fathers. Role reversal of women…

This booklet is a series of 10 unit-organized questionnaires to stimulate discussion on a variety of topics in the area of marriage and family life. These values clarification activities can help 11th and 12th grade students confirm or reevaluate personal attitudes. The units included in this activity are: Love and Marriage; Male and Female…

Relationships between age at marriage, marital role performance, and marital satisfaction were investigated. Results show the existence of small positive associations between age at marriage and marital satisfaction, and performance. (Author)

Previous studies by Newman, Whittemore, and Newman (NWN) reported that between the years 1959 and 1963 and the years 1962 and 1967, percentages of women in the labor force increased as well as suicide rates. The role of women in the labor force was indicative of anomie, which correlated with suicide. The relationship between working women and…

Presents a discussion of issues which may be unique in therapy with divorcing clergy, focusing on the overlap between the minister's marital and occupational roles, and the extent to which such overlap influences the divorce and adjustment process. Special concerns of the divorced clergy are described. (Author)

This paper examines recent research on grandparents in American society. The review begins with a description of two key demographic changes that have altered the nature of grandparenthood: increased life expectancy and new rhythms in the family life cycle. Variations in the grandparent role are then discussed, including the development of…

The single-parent, woman-headed, post-divorce family has become an increasingly prevalent family form and one which merits further research attention in order to identify competencies and stresses characteristic of this lifestyle. The life situations of a sample of women (N=47) were investigated in terms of their perceived levels of competence in…

Recognizing that children today will spend almost half of their lives as grandparents, this paper examines grandparenthood and the grandparent-grandchild relationship. The paper focuses on the grandparent role, discussing styles and dimensions of grandparenting. A number of variables are discussed directly affecting grandparenting: (1) age of…