Describes the importance of a good working relationship between lawyers and divorce counselors. Discusses the lawyer's and counselor's roles in terms of predivorce therapy, confidentiality settlement and litigation, and the post-litigation period. A cooperative interdisciplinary approach can help divorcing spouses and their children adjust. (JAC)

Reviews research dealing with conjugal violence and critically evaluates the usefulness of these findings for clinical practitioners. Suggestions for joining with violent spouses, overcoming initial resistances, and keeping violent spouses in treatment are offered. Situations for which marital therapy may not be considered the treatment of choice…

Reports a case of multiple personality in which therapy was directed at the marital couple, rather than focusing on the multiple personality. The functions of the symptom in the areas of impulse discharge, superego operation, boundaries of closeness-distance, and self-object representations for the couple and family are discussed. (Author/JAC)

Investigated the effectiveness of communication training in treating marital discord for conjoint and conjoint group modalities. Results showed that conjoint couples (N=16) improved on five of seven outcome variables, while conjoint group couples (N=13) improved on two. One-year follow-up showed substantial reduction in treatment gains. (WAS)

Describes the clinical use of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI), a multidimensional self-report measure of marital interaction. Two case studies of couples in marital therapy are presented. The MSI is presented as a cost-efficient procedure, permitting objective assessment across multiple areas of a couple's relationship. (Author/JAC)

Investigated the usefulness of Arnold's Signs in examining marital discord among married couples (N=72) who were parents of children brought to a mental health facility seeking marital counseling, or in the process of divorce. Results revealed that the counseling group was consistently higher on all signs that reached significance. (Author/JAC)

Examined the effects of marital disruption upon divorcing men. Factors associated with poor adjustment included preseparation help seeking, weak social networks outside the marital relationship, difficulties at work and a continuing relatively intense relationship with the spouse and children. Suggests successful adjustment may require a set of…

Studied current and projected involvement of counselor education departments in marriage and family counselor training to assess the extent counselor educators agreed with 30 marriage and family counseling competencies. Results indicated high level of involvement in marriage and family counseling preparation with an indication of increased…

Evaluated Holland's methods for characterizing person-environment interactions. Marital partners were assigned to one of four categories based on combinations of Holland variables. In general, men and women with high spouse congruence and high personality consistency obtained higher scores on general measures of marital and self-satisfaction.…

Presents a process-based method for using dreams in marital and family therapy. Identifies and emphasizes personality and life area strengths. A case study illustrates the application of this approach. Presented at Portland Multiregional Conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, April 15, 1978. (Author/JC)

Reports on a marriage preparation program using a small discussion-group format and pre- and postwedding sessions, emphasizing communication patterns and conflict resolution. Evaluation shows that spouses in such a program are less likely to engage in destructive conflict with each other, and that spouses would seek assistance in solving problems.…

Discusses the unique characteristics of dual-career marriages/families. These familial units are identified as a high stress group presenting unusual challenges to the clinician. Specific implications for the clinician include: (1) values of therapist and clients; (2) critical issues; and (3) assets and liabilities. (Author)

Examines doctoral education in marital and family therapy, giving attention to major trends and developments in this area. They have not fulfilled expectations formerly held regarding their potential development. All practitioners should engage in significant amounts of continuing education to stay abreast of developments in a rapidly changing…

Investigated the relative effectiveness of therapeutic components common to behavioral marital therapies: procedures designed to change behavior and attitudes, and nonspecific therapeutic effects. Ordering produced three treatment conditions--nonspecific, behavioral, and behavioral-attitudinal. The behavioral-attitudinal group showed significantly…

Hierarchical incongruities in a marriage can occur when a spouse develops a symptom in an attempt to balance the division of power in the couple. The therapist must organize the couple so that the division of power is balanced, and the couple is organized in a congruous hierarchy. (Author)