Investigated the validity of a microcomputer-administered version of the Marital Adjustment Test (MAT) (N=100). Results showed no significant differences in the computer and the paper-pencil versions, regardless of order of presentation. (JAC)

Explored the effects of spouses' wake and sleep patterns on marital adjustment in couples (n=150). Couples whose wake and sleep patterns were mismatched reported significantly less marital adjustment, more marital conflict, less time spent in serious conversation, less time spent in shared activities and less frequent sexual intercourse.…

Assessed validity and clinical utility of marital inventory ENRICH using national sample of 5,039 married couples. Results from discriminant analysis indicated that using either individual or couple scores, happily married couples could be discriminated from unhappily married couples with 85-95 percent accuracy. Results were cross-validated with…

Reviews studies which indicated physiological arousal, particularly of husband, as well as husband's stonewalling and the wife's verbal expressions of contempt, predicted longitudinal deterioration of marital satisfaction. Presents stages of disengagement and emotional withdrawal. (ABL)

Used computerized marriage assessment tool to analyze data from 8,385 couples across 9 dimensions of their marriages. Identified seven marriage types: devitalized couples, financially focused couples, conflicted couples, traditional couples, balanced couples, harmonious couples, and vitalized couples. Multidimensional profiles can be described in…

Responds to papers by Gottman, Napier, and Pittman. Focuses on the dilemma of men's contributions to housework. Questions whether the real training ground for the development of men's emotional selves is not in men's groups, but in the kitchen, at home-cooking, caring, and cleaning. (ABL)

Examines gender and three aspects of couples' (N=50) marital intimacy using a method establishing both objective and subjective indices of intimacy. Results suggest that high intimacy is based on both understanding and similarity of intimate experience. Women reported higher levels of intimacy and were also better than men in predicting their…

Examined the effects of group parent training on perceptions of marital satisfaction and compatibility between spouses (N=40). Results indicated an increase in parenting skills and increased marital satisfaction. (JAC)

Attempted to replicate study which proved predictive validity of premarital inventory PREPARE. Conducted longitudinal study with couples (N=179) who took PREPARE. Found PREPARE predicted with about 80 percent accuracy couples who got divorced from those that were happily married. Claims premarital counseling could potentially help high-risk…

Compared clinical couples accepted for sex therapy with nonclinical couples using the Personal History Questionnaire and sex and marital defensiveness scales. The best discriminators were sexual functioning scales, historical and affective scales for women, and current and fantasy scales for men. Surprising results and conclusions are discussed.…

Compared the effectiveness of the Relationship Enhancement Program (RE) and the Minnesota Couples Communication Program (CC) with 46 couples in the treatment groups. Results showed that RE was more effective in increasing marital communication and marital satisfaction. Couples experiencing low marital satisfaction were best helped by RE. (JAC)

Examined the interaction between marital distress and spouses' attributions and expectancies regarding the marital relationship in predicting depressive symptoms in a mixed sample of 59 clinic and nonclinic couples. Best predictor of depression for both sexes was measure of disaffection, reflecting emotional distance and alienation in the…

Investigated relationship between problem-solving self-appraisal, specific coping efforts, and marital distress in 75 couples. Findings showed less problem-solving confidence, tendency to avoid different problem-solving activities, and poor strategies to control behavior in distressed spouses. Three coping efforts--optimistic comparisons,…

Examined effects of dysphoria on husbands' and wives' later marital adjustment among 264 couples about to marry. Assessed relationship satisfaction and level of dysphoria in both spouses prior to marriage, 6 months after marriage, and 18 months after marriage. Premarital dysphoria was associated with later marital dissatisfaction. Gender…

Developed a marital typology based on a nonrandom, national sample of 415 African American couples who took the Enriching Relationship Issues, Communication and Happiness (ENRICH) marital assessment inventory. Five marriage types were labeled as vitalized; harmonious; traditional; conflicted; and devitalized. Results were similar to findings in…