Explored elicited effects of changes in approval and disapproval behaviors on behaviors and perceived satisfaction of dating partners. Couples reported their perceptions of their behaviors. Disapproval elicited strong reciprocal behavior and dissatisfaction. Approval-eliciting effects occurred but were weaker. Male elicitors felt less satisfied…

Therapists (N=250) completed questionnaires rating the frequency, severity, and treatment difficulty for 29 problems commonly experienced by distressed couples. Responses indicated a number of potential directions for research in marital therapy. Communication and alcoholism were rated as the most damaging and difficult problems to treat.…

Compared the effectiveness of Relationship Enhancement and Gestalt Relationship Facilitation. Results indicated couples (N=36) in both groups made significant gains, but Relationship Enhancement participants achieved greater gains in communication, relationship satisfaction, and ability to handle problems. (Author/JAC)

Describes the purpose, structure, and functions of a typical family planning center and supports a more relationship-centered service delivery system. These centers should recognize and promote intimate human relationships. Marriage and family counselors would be valuable resources, to enable individuals to plan and control their fertility.…

Examines the enrichment process to determine if marriage and family enrichment constitute a new field in education and counseling. Results suggest that progressive improvement in quality of education and counseling for marriage and family may unite the field as they merge into enrichment. The process is defined with its relevant programs. (BEF)

Discussed methodological errors in child and marital treatment research. Made suggestions to avoid such errors. Areas covered are selection of subjects and therapists, scope and source of dependent measures, treatment specification and experimental design. Errors include unsubstantiated diagnoses; client labels; restricted outcome criteria; and…

Distressed couples were assigned to behavioral marital therapy, communication therapy, or a wait-list. Treated couples demonstrated more change than controls in marital problems and general communication patterns, but not in feelings toward spouse or communication during conflict resolution discussions. No overall differences were reported between…

Couples (N=50) were interviewed conjointly, and spouses were rated separately on a 61-item checklist to demonstrate the actuarial validity of the marital satisfaction inventory. Findings supported the basic interpretive intent of individual scales and demonstrated convergent validity. (Author)

A divorce is less likely to seriously traumatize the dissolving family when both the legal and emotional issues of divorce are addressed. Attorney-therapist teams are proposed as an effective vehicle to help minimize the stress of the divorce experience. (Author)

Provides a current update of state regulation and licensing practices concerning marriage and family therapists, which would be of interest to those attempting to modify or promote legislation. Half the states have not even considered such legislation. (JAC)

Supports marital enrichment as an effective intervention technique with couples. Linear letters can enhance the enrichment process and can be assessed more effectively by the instruments used to measure change in this study than can change induced through the paradoxical letters. (Author)

Fifty-five couples served in the study using a between-subjects design, additional response measures, and additional positive communication training. The reciprocity counseling produced significantly more improvement than the discussion-type counseling for the three marital adjustment measures after four sessions. (Author)

The marriage and family therapist has a responsibility to educate the public through media. The nature of the profession and value of the individual practitioner are emphasized. Techniques for improving modeling and suggestions for developing useful contacts in media arenas are offered. The uses of media should be in ethically appropriate…

Research indicates that communication deficits are associated with development and maintenance of marital distress. Describes a behavioral premarital intervention program, based on these findings, designed to improve couples' future relationship satisfaction and communication patterns by enhancing communication and problem-solving skills.…

To investigate the validity of three methods of dealing with anger--calm, rational discussion, "fair fighting," and sharing of hurt and of fear of hurt--two studies were performed. Results suggest that intimacy may be found in sharing of hurt feelings. (Author)