Analyzes conflicts of 52 families observed during dinner. Findings suggest that family members frequently joined dyadic conflicts, they were equally likely to attempt to end or continue conflicts, they formed alliances half of the time, and their intervention strategies were related to the patterning and outcome of the conflicts. (RJC)

Examined relationship between perceived stress resulting from job insecurity and marital and family functioning. Data from 111 married couples in which at least 1 spouse was working in insecure job environment showed that job insecurity stress was related in systematic way to marital and family dysfunction and number of family problems reported.…

Considers addictions and construct of codependence. Offers critical review and synthesis of codependency literature, along with an intergenerational family systems framework for conceptualizing the relationship of the dysfunctional family to the construct of codependence. Presents theoretical basis for systemic clinical work and research in this…

Examines differences between rural farm and nonfarm families on the extent and quality of relationships between adolescents and their grandparents, with emphasis on linking relationships. Grandchildren in farm families have more contact with grandparents and rate the quality of their relationship higher, particularly with paternal grandparents.…

College students (n=391) answered questions concerning relationships with their closest grandparent. Responses validated five elements of quality as being associated with successful relationships: fairly high degree of closeness; strong sense of being known by grandparent; strong sense of knowing grandparent; sense of grandparent being fairly…

Examined impact of employment on health of retirees (n=175). Results indicated that employment in retirement years was related to larger social networks and indirectly to better perceived health. Of three social network factors identified (family, friends, confidants), employment was significantly related only to friendship component. (Author/NB)

Asserts that inadequate attention has been given to incorporating family members in career counseling setting with adult clients. Explores a career counseling paradigm that takes into account the couple dynamics active in the adult's career choice process. Unique elements of the conjoint model, such as couple career assessment, along with…

Explored significance of grandparents to 142 college student grandchildren. Grandchildren reported infrequent current interactions with grandparents, although they did perceive their grandparents, especially grandmothers, as influential in their value development. Grandchildren reported stronger relationships with grandmothers than with…

Reviews several related literatures on family and personal correlates of adolescent problem behaviors with intention of providing integrative framework to guide future research. Presents model that postulates existence of two negative family types, psychological overcontrol and behavioral undercontrol, that place adolescents at risk for…

Analysis of 74 families with children ages 5-11 found a high level of stability in parental stress and a modest degree of consistency over time in family functioning. There was stability in the best predictors of parental stress (presence or absence of disabilities and quality of family relationship). Families of disabled children had greater…

Examined hypothesis that parental religiosity contributes to organization of rural African American family relationships among sample of 90 African American youths and their married parents. Religiosity was linked with higher levels of marital interaction quality and cocaregiver conflict. Associations between religiosity and parent-youth…

Determined perceptions of self and family members at 2 time periods for 30 teenage mothers and 30 nonmothers using Family Relations Inventory and map exercise. Both at present and from childhood reminiscences, teenage mothers perceived mothers and sisters more positively than did nonmothers; fathers and brothers of adolescent mothers were viewed…

Human service workers (n=75) each rated positive and negative family members and positive and negative co-workers on six dimensions drawn from Holland's vocational types. Positive family members were significantly more similar to positive co-workers than were negative co-workers. Negative family members were significantly more similar to negative…

In interviews with 80 college students aged 17-50, a majority said a relationship with grandparents or significant elders influenced their values, goals, and life choices and gave them a sense of self, roots, and tradition. Stereotypes of elderly people did not characterize these relationships. (SK)

Surveyed male homosexual college students (n=61) about how they came to identify themselves as gay, how they discussed this with their families, what kind of social relationships with other gay people they have, and the nature of their involvement in gay social and political activities. (ABL)