Approaches divorce from a combined family systems, individual life cycle and stage theory of development perspective. Recommends that therapy encompass interventions that are likely to be the most effective in the various stages rather than be a rigid adherence to one dogma. Several illustrative case vignettes are presented. (JAC)

Addresses design and evaluation issues of community-based programs for families experiencing marital separation and divorce. Reviews and discusses general programmatic issues; presents specific community-based program, The Orientation for Divorcing Parents; details evaluation of this program; and discusses implications of this literature review…

Reviews nine stage models of divorce adjustment, then proposes alternative, the Dyadic Divorce Adjustment Processes Model, which depicts the divorce process as a journey traveled by two persons, experiencing parallel, but not necessarily simultaneous, progression. Introduces concept of experiential levels in adjustment, presents four levels and…

This document is a report on a resolution recommending that states develop and adopt a Uniform Grandparent's Visitation Act which would allow grandparents to petition state courts for the right to visit their grandchildren after the dissolution of the grandchildren's parents' marriage (by divorce, separation, or death). The resolution calls for…

Discusses the influence of development on divorce, and presents a diaclectic model of divorce stages. Suggests mediation as an alternative dispute resolution strategy and describes contraindications for both mediation and the adversarial approach. (JAC)

Summarizes the essential stipulations in laws relating to custody determination in table form. Issues of joint or shared custody, the principle of the best interests of the child, Uniform Child Custody Act, and the acceptance of psychological investigations of the child and his or her family are discussed. (Author/JAC)

Notes that U.S. children are more mobile than children in other Western countries and Japan. Explores explanations of this "excess" mobility, concluding that most likely explanation is greater family disruption and childhood poverty in U.S. Identifies average number of moves for children at successive ages and models association of selected…

Focuses on noncustodial parents, who are usually fathers. Discusses 10 dilemmas of parents in the noncustodial position and delineates what can be done by individual and family counselors to enhance ability of noncustodial parents to maintain parenting relationships with their children. (Author)

Presents a theoretical approach to the specific issue of the impact of courtship for remarriage on postmarital family reorganization, based upon existing theory and research. Several propositions for empirical testing derived from the theoretical argument are presented and discussed in relation to each of five subsystems within the reorganizing…

Introduces and tests an eclectic model of psychotherapy aimed at alleviating problems of single divorced mothers, including what was believed to be an underlying dependency. Model includes psychodynamic and behavioral techniques. Used a repeated single-subject design to evaluate the treatment model. (Author/ABL)

Discusses three categories of children overburdened by responsibilities resulting from divorce. Describes economic, social, and psychological stresses affecting parent-child relationships, as well as the potential for psychopathology within the relationship. (JAC)

Conceptualizes remarriage and adjustment to stepfamily living as life transition in family stress theory framework. Illustrates through case example use of Double ABCX model and model's strength in providing practitioner with assessment format, guide for interventions, and a basis for policy supporting stepfamilies. (Author/CM)

Defines and discusses advantages of parenting coalitions when children have contact with both of their parents after divorce and remarriage. Outlines developmental sequence leading to such coalitions and describes common obstacles encountered by the adults. Major focus is on therapeutic interventions which can help adults form parenting…

Describes model for support groups for children of divorce developed at Marriage Council of Philadelphia. Gives details about group organization, illustrative case material, and typical concerns that group members work with throughout group sessions. Summarizes reported effects of support group involvement and considers ways of intervening in…

Presents theory to explain why fathers remove themselves from children's lives after divorce. Bases theory on potential for change in salience of man's identity as father postdivorce. Propositions and hypotheses are derived from symbolic interaction and identity theories. Defines and interrelates concepts of identity, saliency, commitment, and…