Students from five classes participated in a four-year study of attitude change as a function of fraternity or sorority affiliation. Although all five scales from the College Student Questionnaire changed, only one, family independence, changed differentially by Greek affiliation. (Author)

Recent PhD's in psychology and biological sciences with spouses who were also professionals were surveyed; the focus was on their joint job-seeking. Couples frequently described egalitarian decision rules. But traditional patterns were also evident, particularly among the biological-science sample. (Author)

This paper is a preliminary statement about morning and night people. The authors collected and analyzed married student responses to open-ended questions concerning "morningness" and "nightness" as factors influencing individual, marital, and family adjustment. This issue has both theoretical and practical significance for marriage and the…

Discusses the benefits of parent participation in their children's play, and reviews some problems that often arise when parents do attempt to play with their young children. (SB)

Explains the process of dialysis and kidney transplants in children. Reports effects on the family according to interviews with 17 mothers of children who had undergone dialysis and transplants. (SB)

Discusses filial affection for aged dependents as insufficient to enable caregivers to cope with strains of caregiving. Suggests relabeling strategy (cognitive therapy) to help caregivers redefine situations so that caregiving is done from motives of kinship obligations which historically have formed the basis for family aid. (NRB)

Used longitudinal data on early 20th century cohorts in United States to assess influence of parental age at first birth on adolescents' perceptions of closeness to parents. Found that age at first birth indirectly influenced perceptions of affection from each parent for intergenerational dyads of same sex. (Author/NB)

Examined the relationships among measures designed to assess two important aspects of family functioning: cohesion and control. Included these measures: Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales-II (FACES-II), Family Environment Scale (FES), family sculpture task, and social desirability scale. Found preliminary convergent and discriminant validity…

Interviewed 104 women and men at various stages of divorce. Showed women and men relied on kin, especially for practical aid. Men were more likely to rely on kin in early stages of divorce, while women tended to maintain ties over time. Income and presence of children shaped integration into kin networks for men and women in different ways.…

This study assessed the extent to which infants use fathers as referencing targets and the familial context that might mediate referencing to both parents. Infants used fathers and mothers as referencing targets to an equal extent. Marital satisfaction was found to be a significant modifier of referencing. (PCB)

Interviewed 16 couples involved in marriages between never-married men and divorced women with at least one preadolescent child. Findings showed adjustment to remarriage involved the issue of dependence, independence, and interdependence. Findings are presented in 15 propositions which can be utilized as basic hypotheses for future research on…

Examined how 52 nondistressed families managed spontaneous verbal conflicts during family dinners. Found conflict initiation to be evenly distributed across family roles. Extension of conflict was constrained by constant probability of a next conflict move occurring. Most conflicts ended with no resolution. Mothers were most active in closing…

Considers the private image in family studies for its methodological assumptions and implications. Recasting the assumptions in terms of descriptive practice presents an alternative approach that construes family order as bound to organized, collective representation. Offers field data in illustration, and addresses procedural and theoretical…

Describes Family Lifeline program which provides geographically dispersed families support and assistance needed to enhance and maintain independent functioning of elderly family members while strengthening family linkages and cohesiveness. Describes program's theoretical framework, organizational structure, and client data. (Author)

Data from 109 stepparents revealed that stepparenting, particularly for stepmothers, was more positive experience with live-in stepchildren than with stepchildren who lived elsewhere. Stepsiblings' relations were more positive when they lived together rather than visited. Birth of a child to remarried parents impacted differently on the…