Reports the results of a study measuring the construct "caregiver burden," as traditionally defined versus when compared to perceived stress. The Perceived Stress Scale was found to be a better predictor of mental and physical health status for 107 spouse caregivers of persons with brain injuries than was a traditional measure of…

Investigates the relationship between commitment and dependency in marriage, using a national probability sample of 2,331 individuals. Results indicate that income, occupational, and labor dependency increase commitment to marriage. However, the felt obligation to, or imagined commitment of, the spouse is the strongest influence on individual…

Survey of middle school children examined their perceptions of their parents' actions toward one another. Fathers' ratings correlated to the reciprocated love between parents. Mother ratings only varied with the love they exhibited toward their husband and not vice versa. Self-concepts varied among sexes and were correlated to parental loving.…

Members of 451 families were observed interacting in their home and completed questionnaires that assessed family processes, characteristics, and economic circumstances. Found that economic pressure disrupted parenting; spouse support had a direct effect on parenting; and, for mothers, spouse support moderated the impact of economic strain. (BC)

To assess cross-observer agreement on personality profiles, an Index of Profile Agreement and an associated coefficient are proposed that take into account both the difference between the ratings and the extremes of their mean. Data from the Revised NEO Personality Inventory for 250 peer ratings/self-reports and 68 spouse ratings/self-reports…

A study at the University of Waterloo (Canada) investigated existence of formal or informal policies of (1) antinepotism affecting spouses of current faculty and (2) hiring of the department's own doctoral recipients. Although some departments do hire faculty spouses and own doctorates, many faculty oppose these practices. The questionnaire is…

Older Korean immigrants (n=137) completed Dean's Alienation Scale (DAS) to examine relationship of alienation to place of residence, gender, age, years of education, time in United States, and living arrangements. Found significant relationships between DAS subscales and place of residence, age, time in United States, and whether living with or…

A study of 243 Chinese employed parents in dual-earner families in Hong Kong found that parental overload was related to family-work conflict, which was moderated by spousal support. Family-work conflict was negatively related to job and life satisfaction. Coping behaviors were largely ineffective. (SK)

Presents a developmental vulnerability/resilience and risk/safety framework within the prevailing socioeconomic context for educating social-work students about intimate-partner violence. The framework uses a multidimensional perspective to understand development among individuals who are violent toward intimate partners, among those toward whom…

Presents an interview with Theodore R. Sarbin, a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Focuses on his work with narrative psychology and role theory, how he developed his research interests, and his book entitled "Believed-In Imaginings: The Narrative Construction of Reality." (CMK)

Believes that learning about the life and character of Martha Washington is vital to understanding George Washington as a person. Describes the life of Martha Washington, her role as First Lady and as framer of the First Ladyship, the Washington's marriage, and her influence on President Washington's life and career. (CMK)

Reports results of a two-year longitudinal study examining the effects of full-time study on mature students in long-term, committed relationships. The first year's findings show partner support to be the most buffering effect while the second year's findings show a decrease in partner support. Discusses implications for counseling and…

Discusses the role in and influence on public policy of twentieth century First Ladies including Edith Roosevelt, Helen Taft, Ellen Wilson, Edith Wilson, Florence Harding, Lou Henry Hoover, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, and Hillary Rodham Clinton. (CMK)

In an exploratory, qualitative study of 16 daughters- and sons-in-law and their 16 spouses, 4 patterns emerged that highlighted the differences in their motivation for involvement in caregiving. Differences related to notions of obligation, reactive versus pro-active involvement, managerial roles in the family, and the differences in the impact of…

Describes a self-report scale measuring levels of disaffection toward one's spouse. A questionnaire containing the Marital Disaffection Scale (MDS) and other disaffection measures of marital happiness was administered to 76 spouses. Results indicated good criterion-related validity, discriminant validity, and interitem reliability. Findings…