In the past decade, the federal government, some states, and numerous communities have initiated programs to help couples form and sustain healthy marriages and relationships in order to increase family stability for children. Thus, the authors value the attention given to this emerging policy area by the "American Psychologist" in a recent…

Presents a systematic approach to enriching marital relationships. The history and current status of marital enrichment is reviewed. An Adlerian approach to marital enrichment is described. Applications of the program in enrichment groups, marriage therapy and couple groups are included. (Author)

Responds to papers by Gottman, Napier, and Pittman. Focuses on the dilemma of men's contributions to housework. Questions whether the real training ground for the development of men's emotional selves is not in men's groups, but in the kitchen, at home-cooking, caring, and cleaning. (ABL)

Presents two cases chosen to draw attention to marital and developmental dynamics of suicidal behavior. Both case vignettes are based on individual interviews with suicidal persons and their spouses during the suicidal person's psychiatric hospitalization, and both include observations of the marital interaction. Case vignettes are followed by…

Defines sexual addiction and describes its effects on individual and his/her primary relationship. Addresses problems of recognizing sexual compulsivity and offers suggestions for treatment which include use of both dyadic and group therapy. Recommends attendance at self-help groups based on Alcoholics Anonymous model. (Author/CM)

Reviews conceptual and methodological advances in understanding attributional processes in intimate relationships. Studies are organized according to their focus on general versus specific components of attribution making, and their use of distressed versus nondistressed samples. Results offer strong evidence of the importance of attributional…

Acquaints counselors with systemic family triangles and suggests that cross-generational coalitions influence satisfaction with sexual, emotional, and intellectual intimacy. (Author/ABB)

Provides methodological critique of Jason T. Li and Robert A. Caldwell's article "Magnitude and Directional Effects of Marital Sex Role Incongruence and Marital Adjustment" (Journal of Family Issues 8:97-110). Cites Li and Caldwells' failure to first consider simpler first-order effects of husband/wife sex role preferences and outlines additional…

Defends authors' methodological approach to examining incongruity of marital sex role attitudes and satisfaction in their "Journal of Family Issues" (JFI) article, "Magnitude and Directional Effects of Marital Sex Role Incongruence and Marital Adjustment," from Gary Bowen's critique (JFI l0:416-419). Asserts that methodological approach used,…

This document was created as part of a grassroots movement to strengthen marriage. It was written to provide a public voice and direction for the movement; explain intentions; specify goals; and seek public support. Social phenomena of the last decades, such as failure of the divorce and the unwed-childbearing revolutions, have helped spur on this…

Disputes Jacobson's characterizations (1991) of behavioral marital therapy (BMT) and insight-oriented marital therapy (IOMT) delivered in Snyder, Wills, and Grady-Fletcher's (1991) comparative treatment study. Presents data showing that treatments were as effective or more so than previously published marital therapy outcome studies. Suggests that…

Responds to "The Validity of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for Predicting Expressed Marital Problems" (Douglass and Douglass, 1993). Addresses three contentions from earlier article concerning tendency to marry same type, tendency of similar types to have fewer marital problems, and use of opposite type scores on each preference to…

This paper discusses the problems of conducting research on a low-base rate sensitive family problem, parental child snatching, and proposes that telephone interviewing is a cost efficient and methodologically appropriate solution to these problems. The paper reviews the scant literature on parental child snatching by presenting what are…

The role of communication in the maintenance of healthy long-term family relationships is an important one. Communication exists within the family as a dynamic and essential force in the maintenance of relationships, and facilitates the development of the satisfied and healthy family. Families are governed by rules, making interactions patterned…

Describes reasons the author is happy to be married to a fellow English teacher. Suggests that such spouses can support each other's devotion to the profession and understand each other's time commitment and share this important part of their lives. (SR)