Seventy-six parents of handicapped children were surveyed to compare the frequency of divorce in the sample population to that of the U.S. population. A research review revealed that the first-born child causes extensive to severe crises in the parents' marital relationship; that the presence of a child with a handicapping condition causes a certain degree of stress within the family; and that marital dissatisfaction is highest in families which have children. Ss completed questionnaires concerned with items such as the rating of their child's degree of handicap and of their marital satisfaction. Results showed that the frequency of divorce for the sample population was not significantly higher than that of the U.S. population, suggesting that the presence of a handicapped child in the family does not seriously affect marital stability. (Appendixes include the questionnaire used and a table of sample population characteristics.) (SB)