Reanalyzed data from four previous studies (N=148) to examine the effectiveness of behavioral marital therapy (BMT). Results showed that slightly more than half the couples improved; about one-third actually became nondistressed. Deterioration was rare. (JAC)

Presents Close-Relationship Model as comprehensive framework in which to examine interrelated nature of causes and effects of infertility on marital relationship. Includes these factors: physical and psychological characteristics of both partners; joint, couple characteristics; physical and social environment; and relationship itself. Discusses…

Identified six types of very long-term marriages: stable/positive, stable/neutral, stable/negative, curvilinear, continuous decline, and continuous increase. Case records of 17 marriages lasting between 50 and 69 years revealed that nearly 75 percent of the marriages showed either curvilinear or stable/positive patterns. Found no continuous…

Presents emotional abuse as insidious problem. Offers research literature to support serious nature of effects of such abuse on victims. Explores subcategories of child, adolescent, and spouse abuse. Considers status of emotional abuse as legal issue and discusses difficulty of attempting prosecution of abusers. Reviews identification and…

This booklet was written to help readers understand how the Retirement Equity Act of 1984 makes it easier for both women and men to collect retirement benefits under private pension plans. Since women have had special problems in the pension area, it emphasizes how the retirement law works to their advantage by preventing loss of coverage during…

This article outlines the main features of the present pension insurance scheme in the Federal Republic of Germany, the proposals of the Commission of Experts to Study the Social Security Status of Women and Survivors, the prospects for their implementation, and the essential aspects of the reform. (CT)

Presents case study which highlights attendant cognitive changes that occur in Alzheimer's patient, presenting caregiver with challenges to couple's sexual functioning. Describes man who reported erectile dysfunction directly stemming from stressful changes that had occurred in his relationship to his wife who had Alzheimer's disease. General…

Discusses the critical importance and impact that specific types of cognitions may have on couples' ability to resolve their conflicts functionally, based on rational-emotive therapy. Reviews perspectives on marital conflict in terms of discovery, modification, and behavioral action and observation. (JAC)

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…

Asserts that inadequate attention has been given to incorporating family members in career counseling setting with adult clients. Explores a career counseling paradigm that takes into account the couple dynamics active in the adult's career choice process. Unique elements of the conjoint model, such as couple career assessment, along with…

Asserts that courtship and marital violence represents forms of the same phenomenon and should be examined as relationship violence. Presents a model of relationship violence based on three premises concerning courtship and marital violence. Discusses advantages and implications of a model of relationship violence for family professionals.…

Tested structural equation model of marital functioning based on an attraction paradigm and social-penetration variables. The model posited that the attraction paradigm factors of being satisfied with marital issues and of perceived attitudinal similarity would have an impact upon marital happiness as well as perceived partner understanding, which…

Discusses factors involved in parental bereavement, including the unnaturalness of the child predeceasing the parents, social reactions to the death of a child, the loss of the spouse as a primary support during the grieving process, and grief-related problems with surviving children. Treatment recommendations are presented. (NRB)

Describes the therapy, assessment, and education principles of Functional Family Therapy and applies them to the treatment of inhibited sexual desire, using a case illustration. Functional Family Therapy works at motivating the couple to want change, rather than providing an understanding of underlying causes of the problem. (JAC)

Presents suggestions for assembling a musical tape made up of 20 popular songs that reflect the characteristics of five potential stages in a marital relationship. Illustrates how therapists use the tape in marital therapy and discusses how educators can instruct students to use the tape in their practice. (LLL)