Examined relationships among methods for assessing marital adjustment: self-reports of marital satisfaction, spouse reports of pleasing and displeasing behaviors, and trained observers' coding of positive and negative communication. Frequency of pleasing behaviors was only measure correlating with global marital satisfaction. Inverse relationships…

Data analyzed from the National Longtitudinal Surveys, female responses (N=3,690), indicated that marital instability increases the need for welfare, AFDC and food stamps. In response, Stephen Bahr questions the conclusions of this study by identifying its methodological limitations. (Author/RC)

Proposes a social-psychological model of the dissolution decision in marriage based on prior theoretical formulations. Sequential in character and emphasizing the duality of the marital relationship, the model modifies and refines previous theoretical efforts, and seeks to extend their explanatory power by incorporating various principles of…

A review of previous research has failed to demonstrate that a family life-cycle model is a viable theoretical framework for investigating and understanding patterns of change in marital satisfaction or discord in the American family. (Author)

Childless spouses were significantly more liberal toward divorce than were spouses with children, with childless wives being the most liberal of all. Husbands were more influenced by the perceived quality of the marital relationship, in support of cognitive dissonance theory. (Author)

Presented at the National Conference of the Forum for Death Education and Counselling, Washington, 1978, this paper explores the effects of childhood malignancy on family dynamics. Problem areas include marital difficulties, forgotten siblings, and the necessity of alternating between a "sick" and "well" world. Constructive approaches are…

The Marital Status Inventory (MSI) is a 14-item intensity scale measuring likelihood of marriage dissolution. Preliminary data indicate that couples with marital problems score significantly higher than couples seeking parent-child therapy. Although predictive validity remains to be demonstrated, MSI is useful for researchers and clinicians.…

This paper describes the evolution of an approach designed to improve interpersonal interaction between spouses through training in specific communication skills. The approach can be used either in lieu of, or in conjunction with, more traditional marital counseling. Presented at American Personnel and Guidance Association Convention, New Orleans,…

This study examines the role of communication regarding sexual topics before, during, and after cancer treatment, including that between patient and health professional. (Author)

Responses by 200 psychologist couples asking them to delinerate problem areas were content analyzed. The larger number of problems cited by subjects were due to the fact that women were willing to place their careers secondary to needs of their families and needs of their husband's careers. (Author)

The author describes a three-step technique for helping couples communicate better with each other. This technique involves an acknowledgement of verbal renunciation of the right to vent anger through fighting, and a request for help. (Author/HLM)

Groups of married couples (N=4) were studied using a measure of their marital communication habits and an intensive personal interview. Analysis of the data revealed that the quality of interpersonal communication between spouses significantly deteriorated across the groups as the degree of suicidal behavior increased. (Author)

Data are presented concerning the experience of 429 men and women with a court-related marriage and divorce counseling service. Descriptions of how this agency is perceived by the clients as helpful or not helpful are examined as are the sociodemographic characteristics associated with client satisfaction. (Author)

A typology of marriages and other intimate relationships is offered based on seven behavioral profiles that partners can exhibit in their interactions with one another. The typology is relatively simple, based upon the main thrust of each partner's behavior in their dyadic system. (Author)

Compares attributional models presented in depression and marital literatures by examining simultaneously their prediction of depressive symptoms and marital distress with 150 married couples. Findings show that a model including paths from depressogenic and distress-maintaining marital attributions to both depressive symptoms and marital distress…