Used the Family Environment Scale to study order effects and nature of differences between subjects' (N=66) ratings of their current and past families. Results indicated that the order of administration is significant and that differences are due to intergenerational differences rather than to differences in current-past family functioning. (LLL)

The inception of a new head marks a challenging transition for the independent school community. Though little has been written on it, numerous programs exist to help heads prepare for and assume headship. In contrast, scant attention has been given to the transition of the spouses and children of heads. However, two other kinds of "first…

Studied level of congruence between personality type of subjects and modal personality type in their environment. Results showed modal personality type of males and females was not similar; correlation was high for congruence level and inclination to remain in an environment and low for congruence level and social acceptance. (Author/RC)

Describes the importance of a good working relationship between lawyers and divorce counselors. Discusses the lawyer's and counselor's roles in terms of predivorce therapy, confidentiality settlement and litigation, and the post-litigation period. A cooperative interdisciplinary approach can help divorcing spouses and their children adjust. (JAC)

Surveyed married professional women (N=232) about their attitudes toward their roles and how they cope with role conflicts. A majority of women stated that they often experienced strains between these roles. Coping strategies such as having family members help with chores, and reducing standards, were significantly related to satisfaction.…

Reviews research dealing with conjugal violence and critically evaluates the usefulness of these findings for clinical practitioners. Suggestions for joining with violent spouses, overcoming initial resistances, and keeping violent spouses in treatment are offered. Situations for which marital therapy may not be considered the treatment of choice…

Surveyed 189 couples to see how they felt about their Marriage Encounter experience four years later. Results indicated that about 80 percent of the couples reported a totally positive experience. The most frequently cited positive aspect was the "dialogue." A significant minority of couples experienced negative consequences. (Author/JAC)

Investigated communication in happy and distressed married couples (N=58) in two studies. Problem-solving behaviors were evaluated by the spouses and observers. Half of the distressed couples received written feedback. Results indicated both happy and distressed wives engaged in more negative behaviors than husbands, and videotape and written…

Investigated the effectiveness of communication training in treating marital discord for conjoint and conjoint group modalities. Results showed that conjoint couples (N=16) improved on five of seven outcome variables, while conjoint group couples (N=13) improved on two. One-year follow-up showed substantial reduction in treatment gains. (WAS)

Describes the clinical use of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI), a multidimensional self-report measure of marital interaction. Two case studies of couples in marital therapy are presented. The MSI is presented as a cost-efficient procedure, permitting objective assessment across multiple areas of a couple's relationship. (Author/JAC)

Investigated the usefulness of Arnold's Signs in examining marital discord among married couples (N=72) who were parents of children brought to a mental health facility seeking marital counseling, or in the process of divorce. Results revealed that the counseling group was consistently higher on all signs that reached significance. (Author/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)

Developed eight independent content scales to assess components of marital intimacy (Conflict Resolution, Affection, Cohesion, Sexuality, Identity, Compatibility, Autonomy, and Expressiveness). Measures were designed to be relatively free from social desirability and acquiescent responding. Test retest and internal consistency reliabilities were…

Data from a sample of 2,143 adult men and women were used to explore the relationship between wives' dependency on marriage, and wife abuse. Results indicated that it is economic and not psychological dependency which keeps women in severely abusive marriages. (Author)

Found a significant positive correlation between wives' (but not husbands') neuroticism scores and the degree to which the couple is apart on Lanyon's extraversion-introversion scale. Further correlations suggest fewer intimate communications and agreements between highly diverging couples. Theorized that this constellation of factors leads to…