Focuses on the spousal relationship of gay men who had been married. Describes the man's disclosure of his homosexuality, the wife's response, and the interactional effects on the marriage relationship. Suggests the wife appeared to be an enabler of his transition to a homosexual life-style. (Author/JAC)

Mothers' perceptions of family stress and ways of coping with autistic (N=36) or mentally retarded (N=36) adolescents were compared. Mothers of the autistic perceived more family stress than did mothers of the mentally retarded. Marital adjustment did not differ. (Author/DB)

ASSIST is a self-help program for spouses whose partners are employed in stressful occupations. Describes ASSIST from a practitioner's viewpoint, discusses emergent issues among spouses, and suggests using ASSIST as a helping resource. (Author)

Examines the pathogenic perspective on divorce, pointing out its methodological and conceptual shortcomings. A conceptual model of the divorce experience based upon crisis theory is presented. Provides a framework for understanding short- and long-term reactions to divorce. (Author)

Few studies have examined the relationship between life events, suicide attempts, and personality disorders (PDs), in spite of the strong associations between PDs and suicidal behavior, and the poor coping strategies often exhibited by these individuals. The authors examined whether participants with PDs who attempted suicide during the first 3…

Generated and assessed an empirical taxonomy of symptom profiles or types among 335 divorcing adults. Cluster analysis yielded a provisional classification of respondents into nine types. Results indicated three types were relatively well off despite the potentially stressful conditions inherent in divorce. The Overwhelmed and the Somatic…

Uses the Transitionally Unintegrated-Externally Open family system type to address the multiple factors that may enhance or reduce the vulnerability of adolescent marriages. Identifies facilitating and constraining factors on the development of marital system autonomy and competence at the individual, marital, familial, and extra-familial levels.…

Refines the concept of attachment by distinguishing it from generalized distressed responses to divorce. Among separated adults, characteristics of the marital situation account for feelings of loss of attachment but do not contribute to the explanation of generalized distress. (Author)

The reinforcers that are most potent in affecting the day-to-day satisfaction levels of married couples differ according to the level of distress. Marital distress is characterized by a tendency to react strongly to the delivery of punishers and to respond in kind. (Author)

Considers variations in use of social supports among persons in the process of divorcing. Most frequently turned to for help were friends, spouse, and counselors. Perceptions of the degree of stress evoked by the divorce appeared to be a major force behind use of social supports. (Author)

Examined the relationship of instrumental and affectional behavioral events to short- and long-term marital satisfaction. Results showed a significant negative relationship between frequency of displeasurable instrumental events and ratings of marital satisfaction. The most important finding was the degree to which wives' self-esteem correlated…

Studying the characteristics of attempted suicide is helpful in knowing the background of some completed suicides and improving prevention or intervention strategies. This current study analyzed data of 74 suicide attempters and 92 accident injured patients admitted to 6 hospital emergency rooms in an area of Northeastern China and found both…

Presents a framework for understanding the crisis of infertility which is characterized by extensive anxiety, damaged self-esteem, grief, uncertainty about the future, and estranged relationships with each other and with family and friends. Proposes some interventions appropriate to helpers from a variety of disciplines. (ABB)

Describes development and validation of an inventory measuring five dysfunctional relationship beliefs. This Relationship Belief Inventory (RBI) was administered to couples along with measures of marital functioning and a questionnaire assessing irrational beliefs about self. Results demonstrated internal consistency, convergent validity, and…

Supported the hypotheses that blaming one's spouse for marital problems is negatively associated with marital satisfaction and perceived personal control over conflicts is positively associated with marital satisfaction. The wife's satisfaction was found to be related to her perception of both husband's and wife's contributions. (Author)