This paper presents a model or framework of marital adjustment, for both the researcher and the practitioner, which provides description, explanation, and modification, i.e., ways in which the model can be changed that are theoretically connected with the description and the explanation. A typology of relationship processes is proposed which…

In Australia, the institutions of marriage and family are changing as reflected by the statistics on separation, divorce, and remarriage. Recent figures reveal an increase in divorce in the earlier years of marriage as well as a dramatic increase in the number of remarriages occuring across all age groups. Under the Family Law Act the government…

This paper outlines a family systems model for treating incestuous families and discusses strategies for working effectively with families who remain intact after disclosure or who attempt to reunite after a separation. This systems model suggests that incest results not from intrapsychic problems of the victim or the offender, but from a pattern…

This article describes a sequence of marriage and family counseling courses offered within the context of a Masters program in counselor education. Following the rationale for the courses and a general program discussion, the seven courses in the family counseling sequence are enumerated and explained, including: (1) theories of family counseling;…

A theoretical outline for an ideal or constructed type for the concept of "love" is presented. According to the definition presented, there are five basic elements or indicators which are sufficient conditions for the existence of love in its broadest sense: empathy, desire for the presence of the other, sharing, sacrifice and joy. Under…

This article describes the reactions of a small sample of college students from a Northeastern, private nonsectarian university to a marriage contract that was designed by a couple on this campus. The major reasons for writing the contract included apprehension about the pre-marital socialization system in our society, concerns regarding marital…

Strategies for teaching couples how to solve their marital problems more effectively is an important part of a social learning or behaviorial approach. Couples need to possess and implement certain problem-solving skills not typically present in the repertoires of distressed couples. (Author)

The third international conference on counseling in the 21st century focused on three themes: schools, families, and higher education. The school theme presentations included topics on: the past and future of higher education; diversity on college campuses; career guidance for high school students in Taiwan; learning environments and self-esteem;…

The Marriage Role Expectation Inventory developed by Marie Dunn was used to show the degree that adolescent marriage role expectations were traditional or equalitarian. Inventory scores were found to be related to grade average, social status, and age. The findings and their use in counseling and teaching are discussed. (Author)

Describes a project designed to reach low-income, multiproblem families, utilizing couples therapy in the home. Reviews major characteristics of multiproblem families. Emphasized therapeutic techniques based on modeling, role playing, and demonstration. Designed tasks which increased the individual and couple functioning of spouses. Reinforced…

Examines the view that individual pathologies and problems are manifestations of family dysfunctions. The interdependence of family members is the critical element in the family group therapy process. Intervention involves the disruption of the dynamic balance maintained by the family system. (RC)

A family experiences difficulty dealing with a 20-year-old daughter who establishes a pattern of criticizing her parents' lifestyle, their relationship with each other, and their relationship with their 15-year-old learning-disabled son. (JDD)

Examined whether spouses' attributions for partner behavior are related to their behavior by assessing their attributions and observing the problem-solving discussions of cohabitating couples (n=52) in which neither spouse was depressed or distressed, the wife was depressed and both spouses were distressed, and the wife was not depressed and both…

This report presents data from a telephone survey of a randomly selected sample of 292 marriage and family therapists (MFTs) who were Clinical Members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The study, designed to better understand the current state of the field of MFT, provides descriptive data on the demographic…

Although the marriage and family therapy field's recent attention to multicultural issues is laudable, there appears to be little clarity on what constitutes an effective multicultural competence. The field continues to be challenged at different levels-training, practice, research, the setting of the standards and the work of the commission on…