Little evidence exists about either the short or long-term effects of coping strategies on the reduction of emotional distress or the lessening of problems. To examine the predictors and effectiveness of four marital coping efforts (negotiation, optimistic comparison, selective ignoring, and resignation), data derived from a panel study of 758…

Suggests that intrapersonal and interpersonal conflicts are influential in marital relationships. Results indicate happy couples had predispositions for productively managing conflict; clinical couples had higher aggressiveness predispositions. Happy couples also had more loyalty to their communities, more energy for tasks, and more positive…

Examined two explanations for the strong relationships between indices of social class and characteristics of marital attitudes and behavior. Results indicated that, education aside, neither female nor male occupational groups differed with respect to 14 indices of marital attitudes and behavior. Education emerged as a major predictor. (Author/RC)