Outlines a strategic approach to depression and gives reasons for initially working with each spouse separately. Three interrelated aspects of depressive marital situations are distinguished: (1) the unsatisfying marriage; (2) the distress of the depressed person; and (3) the spouse's response. A case example is provided. (JAC)

Compared the Communication Skills Workshop (CSW) and the Couples Communication Program (CCP) and a control group on measures of communication effectiveness, problem solving, and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated that couples completing the CCP training revealed significant increases in nonverbal positive messages. (JAC)

Examined the relationship of gender-role orientation and specific behavioral coping responses of wives (N=82) experiencing a long-term separation from their military spouses. Results showed that an androgynous gender-role orientation was significantly associated with four of the five coping patterns identified as helpful to wives managing a…

Describes structured marital separation, an intervention method designed to assist distressed marital couples during their critical period of decision making either to divorce or maintain the marriage. Presents a brief review of separation models and addresses separation counseling including: assessment, contracting, initial adjustment to…

Deals with White, Black, and Hispanic married-couple families, highlighting their current work-income profiles and exploring some of the major differences. (JOW)

Reviews two recent changes in divorce laws: the removal of misconduct as a ground for divorce and the removal of gender as a criterion for settlements. The consequence has been the deterioration of the economic well-being of divorced females. Courts should place explicit economic value on spouses' nonmonetary contributions. (JAC)

Ask a group of presidents' spouses what's on their minds, and they're likely to say "compensation for the partner." As more spouses of academic presidents come to expect compensation or recognition for the various duties they assume in advancing their mate's presidencies, the issue of pay for partners and the waters beneath it remain murky. Paying…

Describes rituals currently in use which facilitate the psycho-social transitions of a divorcing pair and their family. Suggests new practices which may enable a healthy, adaptive response to these life changes, while maintaining the integrity of the family. (Author/JAC)

Examined multiple regression results in adjusted percentages for data from a project to assess the impact of formative experiences on adult well being. Differences from some of the adjusted percentages reveal a divorce rate higher for female children of divorce and for individuals from a three-region "divorce belt." (Author/JAC)

Evaluated the effectiveness of behavioral marital therapy (BMT) in aiding distressed couples (N=30) and explored the relative effectiveness of cotherapists versus single therapist. Results affirmed the overall effectiveness of BMT. A cotherapy team and a single therapist were equally effective. No differences were found between immediate therapy…

Tested the relevance of the personal space concept when applied to marital relationships. Married couples (N=24) completed five questionnaires. Results showed that the personal space concept did apply, i.e., distance between couples increased as marital quality decreased. A stop-distance measure discriminated between distressed and non-distressed…

Examines the impact of sexual satisfaction and the congruence of mates' perceptions on overall marital satisfaction in 290 people who had been married 18 to 32 years. Results showed respondents were, overall, satisfied with their marriages. The relationsihps were enhanced by empathy and congruence of perceptions. (Author/JAC)

Demonstrates how rhetorical criticism can be utilized to clarify the rhetorical nature of interpersonal discourse. Synthesizes the following theories to explain the nature and form of selected portions of taped and transcribed interpersonal dialog: Lloyd Bitzer's situational theory, Ernest Bormann's fantasy theme analysis, and Carroll Arnold's…

Tested the hypothesis that the inverse relationship between marital happiness and disruption will be strong under conditions of high marital alternatives and weak under conditions of low marital alternatives. Used micro data from a sample of 400 White, urban, American couples. Found no support for the hypothesis. (Author/RC)

Contrasted communicator styles used within the marital relationship to styles used in general situations. Found that styles used in the relationship were different from those used in general. Also found attributes of a good communicator were affected by the relational aspect. (Author/RC)