Addressed underlying demographic correlates of interracial marriage as distinct among Black women and men. Found that interracially married tended to be younger, more likely to have been married before, and more distant in age from their spouses. Persons born in North and foreign countries were more likely to be married to non-Blacks. (Author/NB)

Examines how couples' discussions of troublesome problems reveal hidden agendas (issues not directly discussed or explored). Finds disgust and contempt are at the core of both love and respect agendas for husbands and wives. Finds that wives' more than husbands' hidden agendas are directly predictive of how negatively they argue at home. (SR)

Compared impact of parenthood on well-being of formerly married men and women to that of married men and women. Found parenting more strongly related to well-being of men than women, parenting had more impact on formerly married than married, and negative effect of divorce on mental health seemed to be largely explained by effects of parenting.…

Defines the emergence of marital and family therapy as a distinct clinical discipline and an area of clinical practice. Describes significant historical developments that shaped the field and integrative aspects of family systems theory. Reviews role of American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy in professional credentialing and…

Tested proposition that high levels of stress in daughters-in-law in two-generation farm families are correlated with daughters-in-law's lack of integration into extended family and family business systems among 54 daughters-in-law. Quality of relationship with in-laws and perceived lack of decision-making responsibility were significantly…

Five educational programs to strengthen marriage and family skills were delivered in 2 states to 244 participants. Two to 5 months later, 50-88% made positive behavioral changes; 73-100% approved of tax-dollar support for the programs. The communication program significantly increased self-esteem and family functioning. (SK)

Describes study comparing views of husbands and wives toward day-to-day communication practices. Initial data analysis yielded 24 items contributing to 7 factors. Wives tended to report less communication or rate communication lower than husbands, but both husbands and wives were generally satisfied with communication in marriages. (Author/CRR)

Higher psychological well-being among married persons may be because of social selection in marriage or of marriage effects. Findings from approximately 9,000 persons revealed that predictive power of well-being measures remained stable throughout 2- to 4-year period. Concluded that selection may play important part in producing association…

Draws analogy between Muhammad Ali's boxing technique of "rope-a-dope" and behavioral patterns frequently occurring in couple conflicts. Presents basics of Ali's technique as similar to fighting patterns of many couples. Suggests that this behavior may lead to physical violence. Describes use of analogy in working with couples. Presents strategies…

Responds to previous articles by Avis, Kaufman, and Bograd on role of marital and family therapists in dealing with family violence among clients. Comments on presentation style of earlier articles and then discusses points of agreement and disagreement with each of the three authors. Concludes by urging therapists to learn more so they can…

Analyzes social introduction services, including singles ads, video dating, and matchmakers by their underlying functions in the marriage market (search for information about eligible others, matching interested singles together, and promoting successful interaction). Uses typology developed to structure review of empirical research on these…

Conducted qualitative exploration of therapeutic process occurring in solution-focused marital therapy session. Through intense examination of the communications of therapist, wife, and husband using conversation analysis, nine categories of linguistic strategies used by therapist in pursuit of solution-focused conversation were developed.…

Investigated relationship between cohabitation and subsequent marital dissolution among 3,300 adults in United States. Consistent with results for Sweden, found that cohabitation in United States was associated with greater hazard of dissolution even after counting time spent in unmarried cohabitation as part of marital duration. (Author/NB)

Couples in which one spouse had terminal cancer reported expressions of love, marriage problems, and commitment to each other after diagnosis of cancer and before diagnosis. Cancer group reported expressing more love to each other after diagnosis and more love than comparison group of healthy subjects. Cancer couples were less committed to each…

Examined changes in role of parents in marriage decisions in China using two data sets. Found that number of arranged marriages, in which parent had absolute control, had decreased. In most marriages, however, parents continue to have influence on decisions made. Parental involvement in all aspects of young people's lives was welcomed by both…