Offers a non-evaluative description of family characteristics which may be present in incestuously abusing families. Families referred for treatment (N=48) for ongoing incestuous abuse were studied. Findings indicate that a broad set of systemic variables, rather than singular psychopathology, contribute to the etiology and maintenance of…

Investigated relation between marital distress, therapeutic alliance formation, and treatment outcome in group marital skills training program in which 63 couples met for 9 weeks. Results indicated that levels of marital distress neither impaired nor facilitated alliance formation. Strength of alliance appeared to be more powerful predictor of…

An inventory with five subscales was developed to identify major kinds of coping used in dealing with recurring marital problems, based on 368 subjects. The final scale of 64 items was studied to determine the scale-score attributes of subjects sorted for age, sex, education, and years married, and for aspects of validity. (Author/TE)

Investigates interspousal violence using a model of interpersonal violence derived from the aggression literature. Finds that destructive forms of communication such as verbal aggressiveness lead to physical violence, whereas constructive forms such as argumentativeness reduce the chance of escalation to physical aggression. (SR)

Assessments of marital interaction during conflict resolution obtained when children were five-years-old predicted teachers' ratings of children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors when the children were eight-years-old. In particular, the "Mutually Hostile" marital interaction pattern correlated with later marital dissolution…

Considers the problems arising from cultural and religious differences in Jewish-non-Jewish marriage. Treatment requires dealing with family systems dynamics while educating the couple about the role of cultural difference in their relationship. Treatment should help couple view their differences flexibly as they blend their cultures. (RJM)

Analysis of national survey data found that, among young adult couples separating or divorcing during the 1980s, women's postdisruption economic welfare was significantly lower than men's within all racial-ethnic groups. This disparity stemmed, directly and indirectly, from women's roles as primary child caretakers and was not related to gender…

Among 1,243 adults nationwide, individuals who experienced parental divorce as children scored lower than those from happily intact families of origin on measures of psychological, social, and marital well-being. Multiple parental divorces and divorces involving deterioration of parent-child relations appeared particularly problematic. Contains 39…

Discusses ways in which infidelity is viewed within the context of three ethnic minorities in the United States: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans. Provides an overview of infidelity according to religious traditions. Presents case studies to explore clinical treatment of infidelity from an ethnically sensitive…

Examines how the coexisting risk factors of sexual abuse and parental substance use contribute to psychopathology in women. Results indicate that depression, trauma symptoms, antisocial behaviors, and suicidal behaviors are related to childhood experiences of sexual and physical abuse. The need for future research to examine multiple childhood…

Examined whether links between marital relations and six- to nine-year olds' adjustment were mediated by children's emotional security. Latent variable path analysis results supported theoretical pathway whereby marital dysfunction was linked with adjustment problems as mediated by emotional insecurity regarding parental conflicts. Emotional…

Study examined the effect of triangulation on depression in children. Clinical samples and nonclinical samples were taken from Utah and Illinois. Results showed children's depressive symptoms to be most strongly linked to the father's level of marital satisfaction, marital stability, and perceived family triangulation. Mothers' variables did not…

This study is a cluster randomized controlled trial of the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP; H. J. Markman, S. M. Stanley, & S. L. Blumberg, 2001). Fifty-seven religious organizations (ROs), consisting of 217 newlywed couples, were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 intervention conditions: PREP delivered by university clinicians…

Family members do work to meet people's emotional needs, improve their well-being, and maintain harmony. When emotional work is shared equally, both men and women have access to emotional resources in the family. However, like housework and child care, the distribution of emotional work is gendered. This study examines the psychological health…

Although separation is a commonly experienced life transition, it is generally a stressful life event and is associated with negative mental health and health problems for women regardless of victimization history. The research clearly suggests that separation is a risk factor for lethal violence and injury; however, separation for women leaving…