Interviewed 136 female heads of households in rural Sri Lanka. Found that marital status figured more importantly than age in use of health services. Concludes that, as unmarried heads of households increase in less developed places, their demands for health care at the village level likely will escalate. (Author/NB)

Uses elderly adults' median chronological age with marital status to examine how elderly adults view their reading needs as they pertain to reading skills, reading preferences, emotional awareness, and physical capabilities. Finds differences in the reading perceptions of elderly adults. (SR)

Analyzed postnatal labor force participation data for married husband-present women (N=736) to study factors influencing length of time out of work force following first birth. Found human capital variables (education, prebirth work experience, and income) and marital and birth-timing variables (age at first marriage and first birth) significantly…

Investigated gender differences in the likelihood of remarriage after divorce in Japan and the United States. Compared the sex ratio of the currently divorced with the sex ratio of the currently married to suggest that Japanese women are disproportionately disadvantaged by divorce, relative to American White women of the same age. (TE)

A study found that parents of 51 boys (aged 5-13) with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity perceived their family environment as less supportive and more stressful than control groups, with lower levels of interpersonal relationships, more depression, and higher separation/divorce rates. Differences were found in mothers' and fathers'…

Used Rehabilitation Services Administration data on 18,394 blind and visually impaired persons rehabilitated in 1982 to estimate effects of socioeconomic and vocational rehabilitation program variables on probability that client will be in competitive labor market, self-employed, in sheltered work, or established as homemaker. Results indicated…

Introduces special journal issue published to inform American readers of recent developments in Europe and to help readers address contemporary family change. Discusses similarities of trends in North America and Western Europe and points out differences among countries. Examines various statistical indicators and trends in birth rates, marriages,…

Revised sexual behaviors and relationship stages in Reiss Premarital Sexual Permissiveness Scale. Used experimental randomization to examine how standards vary for different targets. Findings from 237 undergraduates revealed that age, but not gender, of hypothetical person in scale affected responses. Standards were less permissive for adolescents…

A study was made of the experiences of motherhood of 835 mothers with children 2 to 6 years of age from 4 different ethnic/language groups. Age, educational level, socioeconomic status, and marital status of the mothers were compared with the emotional state of the mothers and the interaction between mother and child. (TJQ)

Components and management of domestic-partner fringe benefits, increasingly common for college faculty and staff, are discussed. Issues addressed include the range of possible benefits, eligibility criteria, costs, and other consequences to the institution, such as alumni resistance, legislative approval. The information is directed to trustees…

Puerto Ricans in Milwaukee are less likely to be on welfare with increasing levels of education; longer residency in Milwaukee; access to kinship networks; secondary earners in the household; and employment. Chicanos are less likely to be on welfare if they have spent a long time residing in Milwaukee; are married; have a job; and are foreign…

At most colleges and universities, fringe benefits are offered only to married faculty. Requiring marriage for benefit eligibility discriminates against all unmarried couples, homosexual or heterosexual. Resistance to providing benefits to unmarried couples is declining, but both gay and straight couples will have to lobby together for domestic…

Examined marital status differences in attitudes about parental obligation, social support relationships with adult children, and psychological well-being among 3,002 midlife parents (ages 35-64) of nonresident adult children. Parents in first marriages were most likely to be giving support. Giving to adult children was associated with more…

A public opinion survey of 1,750 U.S. adults provided data on men's and women's criticism of gender inequality at home and work. Controlling for age (negatively related to home criticism), education (positively related to home and work criticism), and several social class factors, home criticism was negatively related to parenthood for men and to…

Analyzed the effects of marital status, race, and gender on the timing of suicide across three adult life stages. Logistic modeling showed distinct structural effects on the occurrence of suicide in midlife compared to the life stages immediately preceding and following it. Greater attention to the crises of women in midlife appears warranted.…