Couples therapy has experienced a shift in therapeutic approaches from those that focus on dysfunction and deficits to postmodern approaches that emphasize clients’ strengths and skills. Additionally, researchers have found that resources, such as self-esteem and social support, serve to enhance couples’ relationships. One therapeutic approach that emphasizes strengths and resources is solution...

Although 95% of married couples identify with a particular religion, there is great variation in how couples rely on their religion to define or structure their relationship. Various denominations will imply particular “rules” or will shape how the couple deals with interpersonal and family challenges, such as sexuality, parenting, and power. In this article, we review couple relationships with...

The Couples Coping Enhancement Training (CCET) (Bodenmann, 1997a; 2000b) is based both upon stress and coping theory and research on couples. In addition to traditional elements of couples programs (e.g., communication and problem solving skills), CCET also addresses individual and dyadic coping in promoting marital satisfaction and reducing marital distress. CCET enjoys good consumer acceptanc...

OBJECTIVE This study examined predictors of relationship stability over 5 years among heterosexual cohabiting and married African American couples raising an elementary-school-age child. The vulnerability-stress-adaptation model of relationships (Karney & Bradbury, 1995) guided the investigation. Contextual variables were conceptualized as important determinants of education and income, which i...

Despite previous research findings that suggest that same-sex couples often experience unique stressors within their relationships, other findings indicate that same-sex couples demonstrate similar levels of relationship satisfaction as compared with heterosexual couples. The study described in this article was conducted to examine the extent to which various personal, relationship, and context...

Computer mediated communication (CMC) systems, as with the great majority of interactive systems, rely on their users’ ability to encode and decode messages in sight and sound. They are however notoriously problematic for implicit communication and fostering a sense of intimacy between couples. We describe the design concept and construction of a device intended to exploit existing behaviour an...

A longitudinal study with 95 newlywed couples examined the power of the Oral History Interview to predict stable marital relationships and divorce. A principal-components analysis of the interview with the couples (Time 1) identified a latent variable, perceived marital bond, that was significant in predicting which couples would remain married or divorce within the first 5 years of their marri...

background: marital satisfaction is the most important and fundamental factor in stability and continuity of couples′ life. it exists when the situation in marital relationships is in agreement with its expectation. while couples can increase their satisfaction level in marital life, the family remains safe. therefore the effect of sexual education on the growth of marital satisfaction and its ...