A content analysis of (N=116) marriage and family texts showed that only one-third devoted at least a sentence or two to death in the family, with widowhood being the most frequently discussed topic. Suggests death, unlike divorce, does not seem to be defined as a crisis by family sociologists. (Author/RC)

Analyzed data of marriages in England and Wales in 1976 to determine patterns of variation with age of age differences for males and females in marriage. Data indicated both sexes are more likely to marry an older person at the age of 50 than at the age of 30. (Author/RC)

Focuses on the spousal relationship of gay men who had been married. Describes the man's disclosure of his homosexuality, the wife's response, and the interactional effects on the marriage relationship. Suggests the wife appeared to be an enabler of his transition to a homosexual life-style. (Author/JAC)

Compared communication training, interaction insight training, and no treatment for changes in marital verbal interaction and spouses' ratings of each other on the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory. Communication training produced increases in assertive requests. Both treatments reduced disagreement. Communication training produced a decrease…

Provides a model for categorizing marital and family skill training programs according to their theoretical orientation. Describes emotional, reasoning, and action approaches to intervention which allow counselors to examine the relationship between client characteristics and intervention approaches. (JAC)

Findings from a sample of female college students moderately supported the hypothesis that self-actualization is negatively associated with willingness to participate in traditional marriages. Findings among male college students conditionally supported the hypothesis that self-actualization is positively associated with willingness to participate…

Indicates changes in the law that are needed to deal with new problems resulting from the redefinition of women's role in society. (RH)

Presents a five-year follow-up investigation of former marital therapy clients. Conjoint and non-conjoint forms of marital therapy are compared to divorce rates and outcome. Findings indicate conjoint forms of marital therapy are superior to non-conjoint forms. (Author)

A descriptive study of factors in the lifestyle of 50 couples married an average of 55.5 years and an average age of 79 years provided data for this report. Independence, commitment, companionship, and qualities of caring were significant elements in these long-lasting marriages. (Author)

Through the use of several case studies explores the concepts of amicable divorce and unhappy marriage. Effective marital strategies are delineated, and the rationale and implementation of creative divorce counseling is described. (Author/RC)

A study comparing the processes of arriving at fertility decisions in marriage shows that the husband's preference for children or for childlessness controls more often than the wife's preference in either case. Using two childless samples and one sample with children, the strong effect of male preference was found. (Author)

Reports research on the nature of enduring sexual liaisons among homosexual men. Such relationships vary widely and may be subinstitutional adaptions to lack of community support. Gay men committed to the heterosexual world were less likely to enter enduring relationships. Open marriage is the more enduring form of gay male liaisons. (Author)

Explores the experience of role conflict for women in infertile couples. Findings lead to an understanding of infertility as part of an interactional system for dealing with potentially intolerable sources of role conflict. (Author)

Explicit marital negotiation is analyzed in terms of a three-stage model. Disparity between partners in possession of context variables influences bargaining strategies. The point is made that current negotiations have inevitably been influenced by prior bargaining and outcomes, and that current negotiations and outcomes provide the context for…

Examines the socioeconomic determinants of the age at first marriage among women interviewed in a fertility survey of currently married women in Peninsular Malaysia. Substantial differentials in age at first marriage are associated with ethnicity, years of formal schooling, and premarital work experience, and less for social and geographic…