Evaluated admission and program requirements of 50 California-based programs in light of current legal and professional guidelines related to master's-level training programs in marriage and family therapy. Findings suggest that programs often depart significantly from ideals and suggested standards. (Author/ABL)

Tested conceptual model of context, processes, and outcomes of joint marital decision making of married couples (N=188) which specified spouses' process variables as individual-level measures and partners' consensus as a couple construct. Found context factor of spouses' emotional interdependence influenced both partners' coerciveness and degree…

The impact of geographic relocation on a married couple and their son with cerebral palsy is discussed. Counseling helped the family to adjust to their new community and resolve such problems as lack of family or friends nearby and the boy's acceptance in a more competitive school where he initially had no friends. (JDD)

Replies to Taggart's response to Cottone's article on paradigms in marital and family therapy. Claims that ideally this debate will inspire further discussion and a relative consensus on marital and family therapy research. Summarizes seven points of contention and disputes each. Concludes that both authors have high hopes for marital and family…

Five married couples in counseling and five couples not in counseling rated family members on 25 attribute scales. Analyzed similarities derived from ratings through ordinal Euclidian multidimensional scaling, yielding family structure maps. Maps revealed that counseling subjects saw themselves as less similar to spouses and saw need for spousal…

Examined marital therapy strategies of reflection and reframing on spouses' immediate patterns of relating, and investigated therapists' choice of technique immediately following different spousal interactions. Coded 628 pre- and post-intervention sequences from 13 therapy cases. Therapists chose reflection following defensive behaviors; reframing…

Discusses specialization programs, typically consisting of one or two theory/overview courses housed within traditional counseling/therapy department, that offer introduction to marital and family therapy at master's level. Proposes alternative model that attempts to improve conceptual integration and skill development by offering an…

Explores marital and family therapy in treatment of Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), discussing role of family of origin in MPD development and role of nuclear family in its perpetuation. Suggests family and marital interventions, illustrating them with case examples. Proposes involving MPD client in marital or family therapy, in addition to…

Among 4,462 former servicemen surveyed, testosterone levels were positively related to not marrying and marital instability, and negatively related to every aspect of marital quality examined. Findings are analyzed in relation to three sociological theories of marital success based on socioeconomic status (educational attainment, income, and…

Argues that readiness for sexual activity is achieved years later than suggested by physical development and that premature sexual activity can create diminished vitality and longevity of function. The article discusses the pro's and con's of sex education, explains the tension between intellect and sex, and examines related social issues. (SM)

This study measured current perceptions of stress of mothers (n=35) of children with mental retardation and compared these to their recollections of the initial diagnosis. Analysis revealed that more subjects with low stress scores had their spouse present at the time of diagnosis and recalled positive suggestions offered by the attending…

Twenty-seven married couples completed Adult Attachment Interview, were rated as secure or insecure with respect to attachment, and completed measures of marital satisfaction. Found that self-reported marhdal satisfaction was not related to adult attachment classifications. Insecure-secure and secure-secure dyads did not differ, but both groups…

Used data from 60 adult sibling dyads to examine effect of life transitions on adult sibling tie. Found marriage associated with closer ties, improved relations, less closeness, and less frequent contact. Siblings who reported having children, getting divorced or becoming widowed, or the death or poor health of family member also reported becoming…

Reviews trends and research findings related to marriage and divorce, unwed parenthood, labor force participation of women, and life expectancy to assess their implications for family policy. Outlines number of policy and programmatic measures as ways of helping to bring about more equitable distribution of well-being among diverse groups of…

Uses different data sources to explore explanation for why levels of mortality experienced by single Japanese are so high compared with those of married Japanese or of singles elsewhere. Presents evidence that marriage is likely to have been and probably continues to be more selective with regard to underlying health characteristics in Japan than…