Examines the age-at-marriage/marital instability relationship in a national sample (N=1,715). Results suggested that the relationship could be largely explained by inadequate role performance, though the specific inadequacies in performance differed somewhat for the early and later marrieds. (NRB)

Discusses the fast growing profession of mediation for couples undergoing separation and divorce. Discusses questions of consumers concerning how the process works, how long it takes, and its costs and questions of professionals, concerning the process, the qualifications of mediators, and referral for mediation. (Author/ABB)

Theories of therapeutic change involve unacknowledged judgments about how people should lead their lives. Greenberg and Johnson offer a model that should be appealing to many couples. However, the model's sweeping prescriptions for how marital therapists should proceed, and what effects they should seek, might best be interspersed with caveats…

Describes an interactive video system designed to demonstrate differential approaches to family therapy using identical therapy situations. The primary purpose of the project is to resolve some of the confusion many novice family therapists experience while being exposed to the numerous family therapy approaches. Technical aspects of the…

Proposed a new definition of early marriage, tested against age at first marriage for ability to predict educational attainment. Using a national probability sample (N=5,601), the index of early marriage was found to be the superior measure. Generally reduced educational attainment was a consequence of early marriage. (JAC)

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)

A successful program for young adults illustrated how hospitals and other agencies can respond effectively to the interrelated challenges of parenthood, marriage, and work. (Author)

Questions claims that teenage pregnancies are generally unwanted, based on a study of 123 school-age mothers. Found that love was associated with becoming pregnant more than with starting sexual activity. Most respondents who were in love at the onset of pregnancy were hoping to marry their sex partners. (JAC)

This study had two purposes: first, to determine whether there exists a relationship between sex, family structure, power structure in the family of orientation, or social class and the kind of marriage role expectations of adolescents and to determine if those expectations are equalitarian. (Author/RK)

Follow-up data from 10 couples who used behavior contracts in marriage counseling are presented. Conclusions suggest that contracts are effective in initiating positive marital behavior but not necessary for continued marital satisfaction. Rationale and specifics of contract construction are detailed. (Author)

The author, famous in the field of family counseling, relates his experiences and subsequent inferences in the field of family life. (RWP)

The relationship between marital status and suicide appears to be changing, especially in comparing married persons with single persons. The hypothesis that married persons have lower mean annual suicide rates than single persons was rejected by these data and in this social setting. (Author)

Author presented the case against the institution of a no-fault divorce law. (RK)

Bestselling marriage manuals were examined to see if changes had occurred in the portrayal of female sexuality. It was found that the woman is still assumed to have less sexual interest and experience than the man, who is ascribed the instrumental role of cultivating his wife's sexuality. (Author)

This study involved a variety of data gathering techniques focusing on almost every aspect of multilateral marriages. Specific topics covered included sex as motivation, group sex, sleeping arrangements, cohesion, sexual problems, jealousy, roles and sex differences. (Author/CG)