Professor Kelley offers a number of suggestions and raises many questions for those who would provide useful data for the teacher, counselor, or other person serving marriage and the family through community agencies. (Editor)

One cause of marriage difficulty is the unconsciously motivated selection of an incompatible mate through the process of a counterphobic mechanism. Definition of counterphobia is given, along with brief examples and comments. (EK)

Describes a values related activity which allows an individual to explore his/her own values, attitudes and emotions concerning attributes of a husband or a wife. (Author/EJT)

"Marriage" is treated as a mental concept that evolves in a developmental sequence of four qualitatively distinct stages: Magical, Idealized Conventional, Individualistic, and Affirmational. Each stage is illustrated with excerpts from Ingmar Bergman's Scenes From a Marriage. Some applications for marriage counselors are suggested. (Author)

A simple test is described that has proven highly effective when used by married couples. It can be self-administered. Couples who use it can learn a great deal about their relationship and do so in terms of positive insights which they can then use to promote mutual growth. (Author)

Systematic training in interpersonal communication skills was conducted with partners in deteriorated marriages who acknowledged a low level of communication as a major problem. The results indicated that trained couples improved significantly in their interpersonal skills and in their ability to elicit self-exploration from their spouse. The…

This paper presents rationale, methodology, and implications for using action plans to facilitate behavior modification of college students in marriage education courses. Case studies are given as illustration of how action plans may be implemented. (Author)

Implications of Feminist and Humanistic values for marriage are conceptualized. Their effects on therapist orientation and definitions of the viable marriage are discussed, together with proposed alternatives in marital intervention. It is concluded that value orientations and standards of positive mental health could provide therapists and…

Counselors may expect an increasing number of marriages to include open intimate involvement with others either as an adjunct to the marriage or as an integral part of it. Key problem areas are noted and application to counseling situations is made. (Author)

The purpose of the paper is to: identify the major types of cohabiting relationships; specify the personal characteristics and relationship characteristics of each cohabiting relationship type; and outline potential benefits and costs to the individual in each type of cohabiting relationship. Guidelines for counseling potentially cohabiting…

With the increasing divorce rate, new, alternative therapeutic approaches to marital therapy are necessary. Instead of looking at the marital relationship as a closed system, it should be treated from an intergenerational point of view. This involves working on the interlocking between horizontal and linear relationships in the nuclear family.…

This article describes the use of a pre-marriage contract in working with teenage couples and their parents. The contract is an aid in focusing on the practical aspects of marriage preparation, allowing a more direct subsequent focus on the feelings of family members. (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)

This article contains recommendations for the integration of knowledge and competence from the fields of family law, marriage counseling, judicial administration, and eugenics. The goal is to find ways to minimize marital trauma and thereby improve the quality of family life. (Author)

As the marriage enrichment movement develops, nationally and internationally, the question of standards governing the services provided by leader couples becomes of critical importance. This paper examines the main programs now being offered. (Author)