Studies have shown that sociopaths and alcoholics tend to come from similar social backgrounds and that they share several characteristics. To investigate the relationship between alcoholism and character disorder syndrome in adult males, 20 males who had a history of alcohol problems and displayed characteristics of character disorder were…

Based on previous research on cohabitation and Levinger's model of marital cohesiveness and dissolution, the hypothesis that a higher level of violence exists in ongoing marriages than in ongoing cohabitating relationships was investigated. Data from a national sample of 2,143 adults did not support this hypothesis. Instead the reverse was found,…

Behavioral and perceptual differences among maritally distressed and nondistressed husbands and wives were investigated. Distressed couples beginning marital therapy and nondistressed couples solicited through community newspapers comprised the criterion groups which were matched for major demographic variables. Couples first enacted and then…

The purpose of this paper is to describe the differences found between males and females in factors alleviating (or not alleviating) the stresses and problems that many times accompany divorce. The data were collected by administering a questionnaire to Parents Without Partners chapters in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and the…

This report is concerned with the use of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS), in marriage counseling. A brief description of the EPPS is given, noting its quickness and easy administration. The 15 personality variables are presented with a brief description of the meaning of each item. Methods of interpretation are presented including:…

The failure of family life is traced to its complex dependence on the capitalist corporate order and the particular sex-based division of labor that is a product of that order. Particular emphasis is given to the woman's special responsibility for the emotional life of her spouse and children. (Author)

Calls for more attention to marriage in both educational and psychotherapeutic approaches to the family and marriage fields. Object relations theory is seen as having much to offer. Balance among various elements in studying and working with marriage is seen as desirable. (Author)

The lawyer and counselor as an interdisciplinary team can inform the client as to complicating post-divorce problems as well as methods commonly used to conserve and effectively utilize the funds available. Thus the woman proceeds with full knowledge of the financial consequences and hazards of divorce. (Author)

Suggests that separated individuals not only want to rejoin their spouses but also want to express anger with them. They may manage the resulting ambivalence by partial suppression, by compartmentalization, or by alternating expression positive and negative feelings. (Author/AM)

Relationships between age at marriage, marital role performance, and marital satisfaction were investigated. Results show the existence of small positive associations between age at marriage and marital satisfaction, and performance. (Author)

This research examined use of reciporcity procedures with married couples in a group format. Couples (N=7), enrolled in a non-credit extension course, participated in an eight-week workshop. Commitment to and optimism about marriage and ratings on three of nine areas of couple interaction significantly increased over the eight-week period. (Author)

Marital satisfaction is viewed as a function of the comparison between one's marital expectations and one's marital outcome. Marital stability is viewed as a function of the comparison between one's best available marital alternative and one's marital outcome. Hence, marital satisfaction and marital stability can differ. (Author)

Is there truth in the stereotype of battered women who enjoy being abused and who have a psychological need for abuse? This study of a grass-roots program providing service to battered women presents thought-provoking data on this and other questions related to causes and consequences of domestic violence. (Author)

Investigated the association between levels of marital conflict and the self-esteem of children and adolescents. Results indicated the negative effects of conflict tended to be strongest when children's relationships were poor with both parents. However, for young females, conflict was also negatively related to self-esteem when relationships with…

Characteristics of the family environments of mildly retarded, moderately retarded, and severely retarded children (total N=157) were compared. The impact of the retarded child on family adjustment was greatest for families with severely retarded children, but no differences were observed in the impact of the child on marital adjustment.…