Examined fixed-sequence and circular-causal models of relationship development using a longitudinal study of 104 couples. A repeated measures analysis of covariance indicated that, after controlling for changes in relationship commitment and satisfaction, couples became significantly more similar in their beliefs, attitudes, and values over a…

Results of a survey of widowed men indicated that loneliness was the primary problem area, and secondary areas dealt with domestic chores and the acceptance of loss. A "balanced coping strategy" utilizing a diversity of available resources seems to provide the most support for men in weathering this life crisis. (Author/BL)

Investigates the effects of late marriage on marital instability. Persons married later in life were found to be more heterogeneous in their choice of mate. No support was found for the hypothesis that late marriage may be associated with marital instability because such spouses are "too set in their ways." (Author/ABB)

Provides a theoretical framework for understanding the reality reconstructions, identity transformations, and role readjustments that must be made by involuntarily childless couples who are unable to make the transition to parenthood as they had anticipated. (Author/ABB)

Describes the contingent influence of family managerial efficacy and related spousal perceptions on the relationship between stressor pile-up and family cohesion. Perceived loss of managerial efficacy in conjunction with discrepant spousal perceptions of such change substantially increased the family's vulnerability to stressor pile-up. A…

Investigates a largely uncharted dynamic in the literature--the incidence of wife abuse among incestuous families--and suggests that professional caregivers reevaluate conventional treatment modalities that are based on certain assumptions regarding the mother's role in incest. (Author)

Tested the reliability and validity of the Marital Status Inventory (MSI), a measure of divorce potential (N=241 couples). Compound probability for five clinical sites supported the contention that, overall, wives' are more distressed than their husbands. The MSI was also able to identify couples who later divorced. (JAC)

Examined characteristics of continuing relationship between former spouses (N=118) as function of parent status, gender, length of marriage, and time since separation. Certain aspects of the continuing relationship were found to be significantly related to each of these demographic characteristics. (Author/NRB)

Investigated relationship between courtship violence and later spouse abuse in 82 women clients at domestic violence shelters. Examination of histories with regard to physical violence during childhood, courtship, and marriage demonstrated remarkable similarity between courtship and marital violence. Relationship violence rather than courtship or…

Describes a marital enhancement tool, the Memory Board, that encourages spouses to recall positive memories of their married life. (Author)

Spousal response consistency on family decision-making items was examined among spouses in Kentucky. Spousal response consistency was found for all decision-making and task-allocation items. Education level was found to be negatively correlated with response consistency, while low level of spousal tension also was associated with response…

Investigated the ability of the Child Abuse Potential Inventory to screen for child abuse in a group of spouse abusers. The completed, valid protocols revealed that 36.5 percent of the spouse abusers had elevated child abuse scores, while only 9.1 percent of the nonabusers had elevated abuse scores. (Author/BL)

Examined the congruence between marital partners' perceptions, metaperceptions, and meta-metaperceptions, as well as the impact of this congruence on communicative satisfaction, in 50 couples. The data indicated high levels of agreement, understanding, feeling understood, realization, and communicative satisfaction in the couples and no…

Examined relationships between self-disclosure and marital satisfaction in 50 couples. On self-report measures, husbands' disclosure to wives was positively related to and predictive of husbands' marital satisfaction. Wives' disclosure to husbands was a predictor of husbands' marital satisfaction and positively related to and predictive of wives'…

Describes the development of the Marital Comparison Level Index, based upon the interpersonal processes highlighted by social exchange perspectives on the evaluations of relationships. Data on 301 married individuals suggested that the relational dimensions are perceived as important, and the scale is both unidimensional and highly reliable. (JAC)