Much analysis of the correlates of divorce fails to take into account the time dependency of this event with respect to marital duration. This paper focuses explicitly on the relationship between independent variables and the timing of divorce. Results indicated a perceptual problem model better describes the relationship between various variables…

Notes the inconsistent findings that characterize research on marital instability and proposes several potential methodological sources of these inconsistencies. Presents an illustrative application to data from two recent national representative probability samples. (JAC)

Presents a model of extramarital sexual permissiveness, focusing on several aspects of the marital dyad and dyadic independence. While autonomy of heterosexual interaction, the comparison level of alternatives, and marital satisfaction each play some role in accounting for permissive attitudes, the strongest predictor is the diffuseness of…

Presented data on Chinese, Japanese, and Korean marriages in Los Angeles and Hawaii. Found that the Japanese have the highest rates of outmarriage (one partner not of the specific nationality group) in Los Angeles, and Chinese and Koreans were characterized by high rates of outmarriage in Hawaii. (LLL)

Surveyed 704 couples to test a model in which role enactment and role consensus were intervening variables between age at marriage and marital satisfaction. Findings showed age at marriage was not significant, but quality of spouse role enactment and role consensus had a strong, positive association with marital satisfaction. (JAC)

The aim of this research was to increase understanding of the relationship between family variables and measures of child welfare. Conclusions were that welfare status is not explained by the use of individual measures on their own. (Author)

Analyzed the 1972-1980 General Social Surveys to develop models accounting for changes in patterns of marital structure over time. Results did not indicate that the young and least educated contribute disproportionately to increased family instability. Cohort membership and educational attainment must be considered. (JAC)

Examined marital cohesion as a component of marital adjustment. Seven variables related to adjustment were entered into a path model. Over 36 percent of the variance in cohesion was explained by the model. Four hypothesized direct effects were supported (i.e., for comparison level, self-disclosure anxiety, spousal hostility, and sex). (JAC)

Studied rates of family breakdown in families of New Zealand children (N=1,002) from birth to five years. By five years nearly one child in eight had experienced a family breakdown. Rates were related to family formation and social factors. Risk factors were modeled using the proportional hazards model. (JAC)

Presents a conceptual framework of potentially broad applicability in the study of spouses of persons suffering from impairments. The model integrates previous research in the alcoholism field and provides a more comprehensive account of spouse functioning than is afforded by focusing only on partner drinking behavior. (Author/RC)

The Automatic Interaction Detector (AID) method of data analysis is utilized with 512 low income families. Results show that associations of the predictor variables with marital intactness are neither linear nor additive. Nevertheless, two variables emerge in explaining marital intactness: mode of decision-making and strategy of conflict…

With the development of refined theory and increased measurement sophistication in family research, multidimensional concepts and multiple indicators are appearing in the literature. This paper provides a nonmathematical introduction to canonical correlation analysis and three empirical examples that demonstrate the technique's applicability in…

Presents a revision of Scanzoni's model of female status attainment. Analysis of Scanzoni's data provided strong support for the revision. Findings suggest that women's sex role attitudes are pivotal influences on income and continuity in the labor market. (Author/RC)

Presents a multivariate model for explaining cross-cultural variation in sexual stratification as implied in Collins's theory. Tested the model with subsample of societies (N=74) from the standard cross-cultural sample. Results were inconsistent with Collins's theory. Kinship and family variables were better predictors than economic and political…

Explores the social determinants of the timing of the first birth in a nationwide sample of 6,752 women. Results showed education at marriage is the most important predictor. Although a few social determinants (i.e., race and religion) have a direct effect, most affect age at first birth through education. (JAC)