Examined the effectiveness of behavioral marital therapy in improving communication and problem solving skills in 29 couples. Couples' problem discussions were videotaped and rated. Results showed that BMT was effective. The interaction patterns of the treated couples resembled patterns exhibited by nondistressed controls. (JAC)

Examined cognitive personality and sociodemographic factors associated with thoughts of separation. When spouses' marital satisfaction was controlled, four groups were identified as "unhappy stable,""unhappy unstable,""happy stable," and "happy unstable." The first three groups were examined further, and the…

Analyzes the differences in social support available to a sample of 91 married and 183 nonmarried Black females residing in a metropolitan area. Results indicate that having a spouse has little influence on the number of socially supportive relationships or the most important sources of assistance with financial problems. (Author/ABB)

Examined the potential effects of correlated measurement errors among responses of wives and their husbands (N=349) on the utility of and expectations for another child. There was no change in the previous finding that wife's and husband's child utility had equal effects on expectations for another child. (JAC)

Aspects of women's employment and status, as well as equality of opportunity and wages, in various countries are examined. (SK)

Explores the effectiveness of a resource exchange framework in predicting marital satisfaction among 224 couples. Self-administered questionnaires provided information concerning resources received from spouse, shared time, and marital quality. Multiple regression analyses suggested the resource exchange theory was effective in explaining the…

Uses Straus's Conflict Tactics Scale to show that couple data may be used for the evaluation of scale items and for the assessment of the validity of frequency estimates of violence and its relationship with other variables. Results showed that aggregate husband-wife data cannot substitute for couple data. (JAC)

Observed 42 couples during emotional interactions: each spouse discussed an upsetting incident unrelated to the marriage. Results showed the proportion of approval or caring behavior expressed was directly related to marital adjustment. Overall, negative behavior appeared to inhibit the probability of subsequent expressions of complaints by…

Used data from 166 couples to explore the relationship between family task sharing and sex-role orientation, role salience, income, and family type. The results suggested that for wives, income and family type seem to increase task sharing. For husbands, sex-role orientation, family type, and role salience influenced sharing behavior. (JAC)

A survey was administered to parents aged 30 to 70 years from 90 households. The instrument included items assessing the subject's perception of their child's self esteem and activities, their spouse's self esteem, and overall lifestyle satisfaction. The first 14 questions asked the subjects to describe their child's personality using a 4-point…

This study assessed the attitudes of both males and females regarding their perceptions of themselves, spouse and locus of control, and the role that children may play in that assessment. To determine if men and women view themselves differently subsequent to having children, the Rosenberg self concept scale, the Ferguson Locus of Control scale,…

Interviewed 279 mediation-minded individuals and 111 who rejected mediation. Results showed mediation was more attractive to individuals who scored high on traditional socioeconomic indicators. A key factor was the encouragement by private attorneys. Women chose to mediate because mediation was less impersonal than the court. (JAC)

Describes the development of a scale specifically designed to measure marital instability among intact couples. Data from a telephone survey of 2,034 married men and women showed the Marital Instability Index to be a reliable and valid indicator. An abbreviated form of the index is presented. (Author/JAC)

Examined the extraordinary increase in the Soviet divorce rate and the impact of Soviet law. While alcoholism, adultery, and incompatability are ostensible major causes, Soviet housing problems and the changed role of women have contributed to divorce rates. Also discusses psychological and socioeconomic consequences of divorce. (Author/JAC)

Examined how a spouse can help or hinder an individual who wants to stop smoking. An experienced helpfulness score was calculated from the responses of married subjects (N=46) in a smoking cessation program. Successful abstainers had partners who were more reinforcing and less punishing of the subjects' efforts. (JAC)