Derives an empirically based classification system of marital relationships, employing a multidimensional self-report measure of marital interaction. Spouses' profiles on the Marital Satisfaction Inventory for samples of clinic and nonclinic couples were subjected to cluster analysis, resulting in separate five-group typologies for husbands and…

"Reciprocity," a social simulation game based on exchange theory, was developed to study dynamics of power relationships in the context of marriage and the family. The manner in which Reciprocity may be used to study power in family relationships is illustrated in terms of a husband-wife and a parent-teen version. (Author)

Tested the hypothesis that there is a higher level of marital adjustment among mothers than among involuntarily childless women. Mothers (N=40) and involuntarily childless women (N=40) completed Spanier's Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Results showed a higher level of marital adjustment among mothers than among involuntarily childless women. (Author)

Identifies a natural typology of drinking partnerships in early marriage. Results show an interpretable five-cluster solution that evidenced significant and meaningful relationships with both marital functioning and drinking consequences. This multidimensional notion of a drinking partnership may be useful in future efforts to understand the…

Describes investigation of ways in which combat decreases marital quality and stability. Results support three models: (1) factors propelling men into combat also make them poor marriage material; (2) combat causes problems that increase marital adversity; and (3) combat intensifies premilitary stress and antisocial behavior which then negatively…

Used data from Nigeria Fertility Survey of 1981/82 and proportional hazard models to estimate effect of polygyny on stability of first unions. Results indicated that simple dichotomy of polygynous and monogamous unions may be misleading. Two-wife unions were most stable whereas unions with three or more wives were associated with highest rates of…

Examined temporal dimensions (timing of prior events, historical time, duration dependence, selectivity) and their impact on marital dissolution in multivariate continuous time model using data from June 1985 Current Population Survey. Results indicated that marital stability decreased over time, increased over marital duration, increased with age…

Catholic mixed-marriage rates were examined among approximately 600 currently married men and women. Found that incidence of intermarriage was substantially lower if current religion was used rather than religious upbringing. Also found that Catholic effect on odds of intermarrying had declined over time, particularly for men and women born during…

Presents analyses of data from the National Comorbidity Survey to assess the extent to which problems within marriage spill over to produce work loss. Results indicate that marital distress is positively associated with work loss. Suggests family interventions targeted at prevention of marital problems may result in important psychosocial and…

Addresses the relationship between unemployment of men and women and the division of labor in their households and how the psychological well-being of unemployed individuals related to the division of labor in their families. Changes in the employment status of men and women had only limited effects on household division of labor. (Author/ABL)

Presents appraisal of current theorizing about marriage and the family in the United States. Evaluates current and future course of mainstream family thought and recognizes rival approaches toward knowledge acquisition in the area. Suggests that hermeneutics, critical theorizing, and feminist thinking represent challenges and potential sources of…

Examined data from National Survey of Families and Households to examine partner choice in cohabitations and marriages. Results support view of cohabitation as distinct type of relationship from marriage. Compared to recently married persons, cohabitors showed greater propensity to choose partner with same education and lesser propensity to choose…

Used individual-level data for native White American men born between 1907 and 1953, matched with statistics on period conditions and cohort characteristics, to show that these macrolevel factors had significant effects on the rate of first marriage. Results indicated there were persistent effects of institutional arrangements on timing of first…

Presents summaries from marital status life tables for Swiss men and women born between 1888 and 1945. Results show the Swiss have followed a general Western trend toward more and earlier marriages and higher levels of divorce. However, in Switzerland, changes were largely ones of degree. (JAC)

Used data from mothers and fathers to examine patterns and levels of functioning in families of 106 first-married and 108 remarried couples. Compared with first-married group, remarried families scored significantly lower on 9 of 15 standard measures of family functioning. Patterns of functioning as assessed by relationships among 15 measures were…