Describes interactional approach to using standardized self-report instruments as part of assessment of couples entering marital therapy or enrichment. Presents most prominent and well-researched measures of marital satisfaction, instability, and intimacy, and evaluates how well these measures can fulfill necessary assessment functions. (Author/NB)

Defines sexual addiction and describes its effects on individual and his/her primary relationship. Addresses problems of recognizing sexual compulsivity and offers suggestions for treatment which include use of both dyadic and group therapy. Recommends attendance at self-help groups based on Alcoholics Anonymous model. (Author/CM)

Interviewed 132 older women and found that widows and married women had comparable number of primary friends. Being over age 74 influenced size of friendship network for widows but not for marrieds. Primary friendships of both groups paralleled each other in terms of endurance and stability. Compared to married women, widows did rely on confidant…

Examines linguistic features of help-seeking messages constructed to overcome obstacles to the achievement of interpersonal objectives associated with: (1) the type of request (borrowing or favors); and (2) relational intimacy. (SR)

Results of a study showing significant differences in the development of intimacy between males and females, as well as among Caucasian, African American, Hispanic American, and Native American students. Results support the hypothesis that women report higher levels of intimacy than men and that there are significant differences among various…

Entry-level counseling students (n=74) were surveyed to investigate the relationship between resolution of Erikson's psychosocial stage of intimacy/isolation and counselor trainee empathy. Results revealed a significant positive relationship between measures of psychosocial stage resolution and counselor empathy and a significant main effect for…

Data on nearly 400 preadolescents from a study, conducted over 3 years, of the effects of group psychotherapy on close same-gender friendships show that girls grow in intimacy whether treated or not, but only treated boys show such growth. (SLD)

Examines the strategies college students use to convince new sexual partners to use a condom. Research of 393 students reveals that, to encourage condom use, men mostly employed seduction, whereas females withheld sex. To avoid using condoms, men were more likely than women to employ seduction, reward, and information. (GLR)

Explored hypothesis that husbands with lower levels of emotional involvement with their families are less likely to participate in research. Administered questionnaires to wives (N=57) of husbands refusing to participate in study and wives (N=120) of husbands who willingly participated. Found nonparticipant husbands rated as less emotionally…

Examined mothers' and children's reports of closeness to fathers using approach for reconciling discrepant survey responses. Findings suggest that closeness has entirely different meaning when fathers are resident than when they are nonresident. Meaning did not appear to vary when resident father was stepfather or whether focal child was son or…

Examined retrospective data on homicide-suicide in Australia to determine what differentiates homicides between adult sexual intimates that include suicide of offender from those that do not. Found that, if offender was male, estranged from partner, and used gun to kill more than one victim, or was older with ailing wife, he was more apt to also…

Explores the hypothesis that spouses involved in couples counseling will present similar intimacy complaints. Couples (N=100) described their expectations and perceptions of current marital intimacy. Results show that husbands and wives came to counseling with different intimacy complaints. Discusses implications of these results for case…

Develops questions, hypotheses, and models to test (1) the effect of gender and knowledge of relational stage and relationship type on prediction of next-occurring actions in development of a romance between undergraduate students; and (2) use of compliance-gaining strategies intended to advance a relationship to the next stage. Reveals effects…

Personality disorder symptoms were investigated in a community sample of young people (n = 714) to assess their relationship over time with well-being during adolescence and the emergence of intimacy in early adulthood. Drawing on Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, changes in adolescent well-being were conceptualized as indirect…

The purpose of this study was to assess relations between adult intimacy, quality of life, and psychological adjustment. Data were collected in the United States from a sample of 64 college students. The measuring instruments used were Personal Information Sheet, Adult version of the Personality Assessment Questionnaire (Adult PAQ), Intimate…