To facilitate conflict resolution, couples must develop instrumental rather than terminal hypotheses which encourage problem solving and positive behavior change. (CJ)

Couples (N=50) were interviewed conjointly, and spouses were rated separately on a 61-item checklist to demonstrate the actuarial validity of the marital satisfaction inventory. Findings supported the basic interpretive intent of individual scales and demonstrated convergent validity. (Author)

After receiving training in Relationship Enhancement (RE) therapy, five marital therapists treated half their couples with RE and half by their own preferred non-RE method. After 10 weeks, participants (N=24) in both treatment conditions were posttested. Results showed participants receiving RE therapy made more gains on all measures used. (BH)

Used data from Nigeria Fertility Survey of 1981/82 and proportional hazard models to estimate effect of polygyny on stability of first unions. Results indicated that simple dichotomy of polygynous and monogamous unions may be misleading. Two-wife unions were most stable whereas unions with three or more wives were associated with highest rates of…

Examined temporal dimensions (timing of prior events, historical time, duration dependence, selectivity) and their impact on marital dissolution in multivariate continuous time model using data from June 1985 Current Population Survey. Results indicated that marital stability decreased over time, increased over marital duration, increased with age…

Catholic mixed-marriage rates were examined among approximately 600 currently married men and women. Found that incidence of intermarriage was substantially lower if current religion was used rather than religious upbringing. Also found that Catholic effect on odds of intermarrying had declined over time, particularly for men and women born during…

In response to feedback from Marriage and Family Therapy practitioners regarding the Outcome Research Chart (1997), this article presents a revised summary of movement in ratings between the original chart and 1995. During that ten-year period, additional evidence was found for the effectiveness of ten family therapy approaches. (Author/MKA)

Both partners from gay and lesbian cohabiting couples without children were compared longitudinally with both partners from heterosexual married couples with children (N at first assessment = 80, 53, and 80 couples, respectively) on variables from 5 domains indicative of relationship health. For 50% of the comparisons, gay and lesbian partners did…

This article considers the quality of the evidence that marriage confers unique benefits, and that, as such, social policies should be enacted to encourage couples, particularly those with few economic resources, to get married and stay together. Public concern about the future of marriage in the United States, we show, is rooted in demographic…

Ryan Kelty, Meredith Kleykamp, and David Segal examine the effect of military service on the transition to adulthood. They highlight changes since World War II in the role of the military in the lives of young adults, focusing especially on how the move from a conscription to an all-volunteer military has changed the way military service affects…

This paper describes the development of the Alabama Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (ALAMFC). The organizational structure, goals, and history are included. (Contains 2 tables.)

Some researchers have hypothesized that factors common across therapy models are largely responsible for change. In this study we conducted semi-structured, open-ended qualitative interviews with three different MFT model developers (Dr. Susan M. Johnson, Emotionally Focused Therapy; Dr. Frank M. Dattilio, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy; and Dr.…

Changes in the rates of childlessness over time are explored using European, Australian, American, and Japanese data from censuses, national registers, and large-scale surveys. The trends are remarkably similar across the countries for which data are available: a peak in childlessness rates for the 1880-1910 birth cohorts, a more or less…

Using a data set (N = 1,600) collected in the city of Urumchi in 2005, this article examines ethnic differences in arranged marriages in urban China. Data analysis shows a rapid decline in parental arrangement for both Uyghur Muslims and Han Chinese in Urumchi. Han Chinese are less likely than Uyghur Muslims to report arranged marriages, with main…

This study focuses on the factors underlying differences in relationship quality between interethnic and same-ethnic couples. Using the National Survey of Families and Households and the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we examine relationship satisfaction, interpartner conflict and subjective assessments of relationship instability in…