Analysis of National Survey of Families and Households data suggests that parental conflict is partly responsible for negative associations between divorce and child welfare (academic achievement, other school-related variables, delinquency, health, and psychological well-being). In some areas, marital relations prior to divorce apparently helps…

The mother of a 13-year-old boy with autism discusses the symptoms of autism from birth through 18 months and 18 through 36 months and her journey out of denial. The dreaded validation of the diagnosis and the support of other parents are addressed. Her husband shares some suggestions for stepfathers. (CR)

In-depth interviews with individuals who had experienced marital infidelity revealed a three-stage process following disclosure of an affair. The process starts with an "emotional roller coaster" and moves through a "moratorium" before efforts at trust building are recognized. Implications for the literature on forgiveness and the process of…

This paper reports errors in the article "A Brief Actuarial Assessment for the Prediction of Wife Assault Recidivism: The Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment," by N. Zoe Hilton, Grant T. Harris, Marnie E. Rice, Carol Lang, Catherine A. Cormier, and Kathryn J. Lines (Psychological Assessment, 2004, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 267-275). On page 272,…

In a sample of low-income families (N = 239), structural equation models assessed predictors of fathers' involvement with preschool-aged children in instrumental, behavioral, and emotional realms. Results suggest that parental conflict has a strong negative relation with father involvement. Fathers' human capital characteristics, healthy…

This report defines domestic violence as a method of maintaining control through the use of force. An historical perspective is presented which describes the many centuries during which men legally wielded absolute power over their wives and children, who were considered to be chattel of the husband. Different hypotheses suggest various causal…

To investigate the relationship between soap opera viewership and sexual and relational perceptions, telephone interviews were conducted with 209 female college students. Quota sampling was used to complete a ratio of two telephone interviews with soap opera viewers for every one with a nonviewer. For sampling purposes, a viewer was defined as…

Describes the use of Jung's subjective approach to dream interpretation in couples' group therapy to bring unconscious material quickly to the surface. Dreams show the connection between the manifest behavior and the underlying dynamics. They clarify the characteristic behavior of the psychological types. Finally, they aid the therapeutic process.…

When sex is a problem in marriage, the wife often feels that she is only a sex object to the husband, while the latter feels that she hates sex. A procedure is described and data presented to respond to these concerns. Reasons for failure are given and suggestions are made. (Author)

Depression and marital maladjustment measures were taken of all couples attending a clinic. A significant correlation between depression and marital maladjustment was found for self-report data and was replicated by therapists' ratings. Marital ratings of either spouse were related to men's depression ratings, and minimally related to women's.…

Recently more attention has been focused on elder abuse, with laws enacted requiring reporting of this crime. Since service providers often do not recognize elder abuse, a validated screening tool for elder abuse is needed. A screening tool called the Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Protocol has been developed and is currently being…

An exploratory investigation was conducted to examine the nature and severity of marital problems as perceived by 211 employed married women in a small southern city, and the use of formal and informal social support systems in dealing with these problems. Responses to questionnaires exploring these issues were analyzed, revealing that problems…

A team consisting of a school psychologist, a social worker, and two school counselors developed a program in Newton, Massachusetts to deal with children's problems resulting from their parents' separations and divorces. School staff was surveyed and interest was reported in the following areas of separation and divorce issues: (1) knowing more…

A review of the literature reveals that several common characteristics are used to describe battered women, e.g., low self-esteem, passive, guilty, depressed, dependent. To test the accuracy of these descriptions, the 16 PF Personality Inventory was administered to 30 battered women. Analyses confirmed that abused women exhibited significantly…

Violence in the family is defined as a mode of behavior involving the use of physical force among family members. Such force varies in severity from homicide at one extreme to mild spankings at the other. It also varies by intent. In some cases the intent is to control people's behavior; in other cases it is to vent personal hostility; in still…