A study investigated the nature of family consistency in selected resources and the relationship between the identified resource patterns and coping. Four patterns emerged, with the majority of couples located in the resource consistent categories. (Author/JOW)

Describes a method for identifying how families organize and proceed through the problem-solving process. Method uses new behaviors as markers to identify the beginning and ends of qualitatively different periods of problem-solving interaction. Testing of 40 family groups revealed an orderly, rather than a random, sequencing of problem solving.…

A marker method (MM) and a rating method (RM) for testing a phasing hypothesis of family problem-solving interactions (PSIs) are compared. Focus was on studying the procedure employed in each method to test a phasing hypothesis of problem solving and how the methods compare against a set of criteria. In the RM, each family problem-solving episode…

Decision making about an observational recording system for family interaction research is crucial. Alternative coding-recording methods and combinations thereof are discussed, including: (1) paper-and-pencil on-site method; (2) video-tapes; (3) paper-and-pencil and mechanical coding devices; (4) transcripts; and (5) transcripts combined with…

Little is known about the process by which healthy families resolve everyday problems. Families with an adolescent diabetic must handle the usual adolescent problems as well as disease management problems, and must meet both the needs of the adolescent and those of the rest of the family. Phasing rationally is a term used to describe the orderly…

The development and use of the family problem-solving diary are described. The diary is one of several indicators and measures of family problem-solving behavior. It provides a record of each person's perception of day-to-day family problems (what the problem concerns, what happened, who got involved, what those involved did, how the problem…