This study assumes that companionship among married couples varies according to the social status of the wife. It is predicted that a couple's mutual participation increases as socioeconomic status and urban background increase, but that it decreases with age and length of marriage. (Author)

This study ascertains: (a) two-thirds of Mormons living in Northern Florida had married a non-Mormon; (b) Mormon females married non-Mormons more frequently than Mormon males; (c) one-third of the non-Mormon spouses later converted to Mormonism; and (d) there were distinct social differences between endogamous and exogamous Mormons. (Author)

A compound major individual difference variable having a putative physiological basis--arousal and the stimulation-seeking motive, which has not heretofore been intestigated in studies of assortative mating--was the focus of the present study. In addition, three choticism--were included for study. (Author)

Evaluates the stability of the Relational Dimensions Instrument (RDI) as a measure of people's general beliefs about the characteristics of the ideal marriage. Shows little stability for these judgments in college students who took the test twice, one year apart. Casts doubt on whether college students' implicit theories of marriage are tapped by…

Data from a national sample of married adults, interviewed four times between 1980 and 1992, do not support the idea that unhappily married couples use childbearing as a strategy to increase solidarity and reduce marital uncertainty. Instead, results indicate that a solid marriage and compatibility between spouses encourage parenthood and…

This article reflects a review of research relevant to family systems training and the use of films in the teaching of family systems theory. Advantages and disadvantages of using movies in an introductory-level graduate family therapy course are discussed. An outline of family therapy training objectives, as well as examples of a movie-based…

Presents the need for integration of mutual client-therapist collaboration into the process of genogram construction and demonstrates through case examples how such integration enhances the therapeutic power of the genogram. Suggests possible changes in the training of marriage and family therapists in order for such integration to become more…

Addresses the importance of a basic understanding of neuroscience in marital, couple, and family therapy training and practice. Examines the biological and physiological processes underlying emotions, memory, and neurochemistry, and emphasizes their impact on behavior. (Contains 20 references.) (GCP)

Presents an interview with Dr. John M. Gottman, one of the most prolific researchers/authors in marriage and family therapy. Specific topics addressed include: Gottman's family of origin and career influences; his research on meta-emotions and marital conflict; psychoeducation versus marital therapy; and future goals. (GCP)

Investigates whether fatherhood, and specifically involvement with nonresident children, influence men's entrance into marital and cohabiting unions. Findings suggest that neither resident nor nonresident children affect men's chances of entering a new marriage, but nonresident children have a positive effect on cohabitation. (Contains 79…

Using three different theoretical perspectives, examines the engagement, availability, participation, and warmth of residential fathers in married biological parent, unmarried biological parent, married stepparent, and cohabiting father families. Biology explains less of father involvement than anticipated once differences between fathers are…

Sought to identify similarities and differences of Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), Marital Adjustment Test (MAT), and Revised Marital Adjustment Test (RMAT) with 302 clinical and nonclinical couples. Across both samples, each test was significantly different from other two. Results showed that scores on DAS, MAT, and RMAT were not equivalent.…

Explores married couples' understanding and recall of conversations to consider how intersubjective understanding in marriage is affected by the ambiguity and coding difficulties associated with particular perceptions. Shows that individual-level perceptions are only partly responsive to direct communication between spouses. (SR)

Suggests it is couples' communication skills and problem-solving strategies, not their specific problems, that differentiate satisfied and dissatisfied couples. Concludes after a study of couples' arguments that adjusted couples are more likely to use effective complaint sequences, whereas maladjusted couples are more likely to employ ineffective…

Distressed couples (N=15) were randomly assigned to group, conjoint, or waiting list conditions. Behavioral communication treatment package administered over eight sessions and was evaluated via multidimensional assessments was found to be highly effective modality for resolution of marital dysfunction. Both group and conjoint treatments were…