Ethnolinguistically minoritized women, mostly Southeast Asians married to a Korean spouse, are subject to marginalization and subordination in South Korea. The local, subaltern knowledge garnered from their country of origin and the host country is frequently dismissed. One government-led initiative, the Bilingual Coaching Program in South Korea,…

Examined the effects of a structured choice-awareness, marriage enrichment program on participants' marital satisfaction and self-concept. Meaningful trends in the predicted direction of increased marital satisfaction and increased self-concept were noted for the experimental group. (Author)

Presents a structured enrichment workshop designed to facilitate marital intimacy, featuring three modules: (1) self-hood and differentiation; (2) communication of emotions; and (3) negotiation. Theoretical bases of each module are outlined, with special attention given to the role of sharing of hurt feelings as a primary dimension of intimacy.…

Describes the use of a penny game as a counseling technique to interrupt an unwanted cycle of behavior between spouses. The game can be explained in terms of both paradox and power and is useful with several marriage counseling techniques which teach more appropriate verbal behavior. (JAC)

Presents a rationale for counseling couples in groups and illustrates how people can be taught to pair up with counselors in order to help their spouses rather than hurt them. Specific steps in forming and facilitating the group are presented. (BEF)

The use of poetry in couples' groups is suggested to facilitate group process and break down resistance. Techniques include the use of reactions to a poem or song, the construction of poems, and the development of images. Poetry can help clients express feelings and examine communication patterns. (Author)

Describes therapist-structured marital separation for distressed couples during their critical period of deciding whether to divorce or remain married. Discusses characteristics of marital distress appropriate for structured marital separation, potential benefits, and design of the separation contract. Issues addressed include duration, frequency…

Discusses treatment issues in conjoint marital therapy, currently accepted as the preferred format for treating marital difficulties. Describes the use of linear or paradoxical letters to the nonattending spouse, providing research data regarding potential hazards of one-spouse therapy. Sample letters are included. (JAC)

Suggests conjoint reading aloud as an initial assignment in behavioral marital therapy. The spouses are directed to read a book on marital conflict and communication five times during the week following the initial interview. Conjoint reading addresses the experientially salient problems of verbal conflict. (Author/JAC)

Addresses clinical and methodological issues in conducting the Marital Systems Study, a research project evaluating the efficacy of systems-oriented conjoint treatment with couples in which one spouse is abusing alcohol. These include standardizing and monitoring the intervention and developing an interactional perspective on the alcohol-related…

Describes a behavioral problem-solving package designed to train negotiation and emotional expression skills. Training consisted of modeling, behavioral rehearsal, and feedback regarding the rehearsal. Training was associated with increases in target, nontarget, and subjective behaviors, thereby demonstrating generalized treatment effects. (Author)

Whether the union is jeopardized by disappointment, fear of not achieving satisfaction in life, or other problems, the couple in crisis may turn to divorce as the lesser evil. The mediation process is of potential value to those couples who may want to avoid protracted, painful lawsuits. (Author)

Describes the Systems Marriage Enrichment Program which was developed from the systems concepts of circular causality, the identification of predictable interaction patterns, and the adaptive and homeostatic mechanisms. Presents a protocol process consisting of five phases with goals and techniques. (Author)

Describes a project designed to reach low-income, multiproblem families, utilizing couples therapy in the home. Reviews major characteristics of multiproblem families. Emphasized therapeutic techniques based on modeling, role playing, and demonstration. Designed tasks which increased the individual and couple functioning of spouses. Reinforced…

Describes workshops developed to bring awareness of the dual-couple dilemma to students' attention and to teach coping skills for dealing with sources of conflict. Lists myths and facts drawn from interviews with dual-career couples. Describes three structured group exercises and two skill checklists. (RC)