Studied the family history of preschool children (N=1,067). By 6 years, 16 percent of children born to two-parent families experienced a family breakdown. Findings suggest that, once children left the traditional two-parent family, there was a strong possibility they would be exposed to both marriage formation and breakdown. (BH)

Compared relative effectiveness of two interventions in treatment of marital discord: a cognitive-behavioral intervention (teaching problem-solving skills) and an experiential intervention (focusing on emotional experiences). The effects of emotionally focused treatment were found to be superior to problem-solving treatment on marital adjustment,…

Explores the effects of family structure during the teenage years on the likelihood of marriage later using data from two national longitudinal surveys of young people. Results indicated that childhood family patterns do influence later family formation. Sons and daughters and Blacks and Whites are affected somewhat differently. (JAC)

Couples counseling is about both saving and optimally ending relationships. Some of the factors affecting the counselor's role in couples therapy are addressed in this paper. It opens with a listing of the objectives of counseling, such as the need to remain neutral. Some of the societal influences on divorce rate are discussed, along with…

Experimentation with short contact marriage counseling and some of the results are described. The author is convinced that the new approaches are more effective than those they replaced. (Editor)

Studied the risk-taking behavior (i.e., smoking, intemperate drinking, and failure to fasten seat belts) of 4,539 Canadian adolescents. Results showed adolescents who lived in intact families engaged in less health-risk behavior than adolescents from separated or divorced families. Results from widowed families were mixed. (JAC)

Data from a national sample found that cohabitors are more violent than marrieds. However, cohabitors over 30, divorced women, those with high incomes, and those who were together for over ten years, had very low rates of violence. Suggests cohabitation should not be seen as a unitary phenomenon. (Author)

Describes a behavioral problem-solving package designed to train negotiation and emotional expression skills. Training consisted of modeling, behavioral rehearsal, and feedback regarding the rehearsal. Training was associated with increases in target, nontarget, and subjective behaviors, thereby demonstrating generalized treatment effects. (Author)

Presents the second part of a cognitive model of family conflict. Proposes that high efficacy enhances persistence in family problem solving while low efficacy inhibits such efforts, and that chronic low efficacy may lead to learned helplessness responses in family members. (Author)

Investigated marital stability and perceptions of marital adjustment and family environment among Navy prisoners of war repatriated from Vietnam (RPWs) and a Navy comparison group. Results indicated that the post-repatriation divorce rate among the RWP group was significantly higher than for the comparison group. (Author)

Investigated relationship between locus of control and marital stability of young men. Factors derived from locus of control measures included leadership, personal, and fate scales. Results indicated the only significant difference was on the leadership scale between men remaining married and those who did not. (RC)

Age at marriage, marital duration, religiosity and income have an effect on thinking about divorce independent of their effect on marital dissatisfaction. Wife's employment and the presence of preschool children are likely to lead to thoughts about divorce. (Author)

Three studies demonstrate that the Inventory of Family Feelings, a measure of family affective structure, has high reliability and construct and concurrent validity. It is appropriate for affective comparisons by age, sex, and ordinal position of children and for measuring change after family or marital therapy, or after predictable stress…

Alcoholic women must receive treatment that considers psychological differences between men and women. The basic difference identified was the kinds of roles taken on by women compared to men's roles. Counselors must integrate women's individual experiences with experimental research to effectively help alcoholic women. (Author/JAC)

Whether the union is jeopardized by disappointment, fear of not achieving satisfaction in life, or other problems, the couple in crisis may turn to divorce as the lesser evil. The mediation process is of potential value to those couples who may want to avoid protracted, painful lawsuits. (Author)