Sexual satisfaction in premarital relationships: associations with satisfaction,love, commitment,and stability

This investigation focused on how sexual satisfaction is associated with relationship quality and stability in premarital couples. With data collected at multiple times over several years from a sample of heterosexual couples (who were all dating at Time 1), we examined how sexual satisfaction was associated with relationship satisfaction, love, commitment, and stability. At each wave of the study, sexual satisfaction was associated positively with relationship satisfaction, love, and commitment for both men and women. In addition, change in sexual satisfaction between Time 1 and Time 2 was associated with change over the same period in relationship satisfaction, love, and commitment. Furthermore, some evidence was found that sexual satisfaction was associated with relationship stability. Overall, sexual satisfaction had stronger links with relationship quality for men than for women.     

Couple dynamics and attributions when one partner has an acquired hearing loss: implications for couple therapy

We discuss the communication difficulties that many couples face when one partner has a hearing loss. We also discuss the role of attribution theory in understanding the marital distress of these couples. Finally, we offer interventions to support better communication between couples facing the challenges of hearing loss.     

Emotionally focused interventions for couples with chronically ill children: a 2-year follow-up

Couples with chronically ill children are particularly at risk for experiencing marital distress. The study presented here is a 2-year follow-up of a randomized control trial that assessed the efficacy of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in decreasing marital distress in a sample of couples with a chronically ill child. Thirteen couples with chronically ill children who received treatment were assessed to determine if the significant improvement in relationship distress observed at posttreatment and 5-month follow-up would be maintained at 2-year follow-up. Results demonstrated that improvements in marital functioning were not only maintained but, in some cases, enhanced at the 2-year follow-up. This uncontrolled follow-up study provides initial evidence of the longer-term benefits of EFT.     

The Role of Geographic Scale in Monitoring Environmental Justice

Utilizing the concept of environmental justice, this paper examines the differential burdens of toxic and hazardous waste facilities locations in low income minority communities. The association between the presence of facilities and socioeconomic characteristics of places are examined for the state of South Carolina at three different spatial scales: counties, census tracts, and census block groups. Three different types of hazardous waste/toxic facilities are also examined: Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) sites, Treatment, Storage, and Disposal sites (TSD), and inactive hazardous waste sites. At the county level, there was some association between the presence of toxic/hazardous waste facilities and race and income. In South Carolina, this translates to a disproportionate burden on White, more affluent communities in metropolitan areas, rather than low income minority communities. At both the census tract and block group levels, there is no association between race and the location of toxic/hazardous waste facilities. There are slight differences in the income levels between tracts and block groups with facilities and those without. This localized ecology of hazard sources must be expanded to include emission/discharge data in order to adequately address environmental justice issues on who bears the burdens of environmental contamination.     

Route-to-Route Extrapolation of the Toxic Potency of MTBE

MTBE is a volatile organic compound used as an oxygenating agent in gasoline. Inhalation from fumes while refueling automobiles is the principle route of exposure for humans, and toxicity by this route has been well studied. Oral exposures to MTBE exist as well, primarily due to ground-water contamination from leaking stationary sources, such as underground storage tanks. Assessing the potential public health impacts of oral exposures to MTBE is problematic because drinking water studies do not exist for MTBE, and the few oil-gavage studies from which a risk assessment could be derived are limited. This paper evaluates the suitability of the MTBE database for conducting an inhalation route-to-oral route extrapolation of toxicity. This includes evaluating the similarity of critical effect between these two routes, quantifiable differences in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, and sufficiency of toxicity data by the inhalation route. We conclude that such an extrapolation is appropriate and have validated the extrapolation by finding comparable toxicity between a subchronic gavage oral bioassay and oral doses we extrapolate from a subchronic inhalation bioassay. Our results are extended to the 2-year inhalation toxicity study by Chun et al. (1992) in which rats were exposed to 0, 400, 3000, or 8000 ppm MTBE for 6 hr/d, 5 d/wk. We have estimated the equivalent oral doses to be 0, 130, 940, or 2700 mg/kg/d. These equivalent doses may be useful in conducting noncancer and cancer risk assessments.     

ETHICAL DILEMMAS IN FAMILY THERAPY

A review of the literature in the area of ethical dilemmas facing family therapists revealed that there were a number of issues facing family therapists which are not included in the Principles for Family Therapists (1984) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Seventy-five family therapists from across the nation responded to a questionnaire which asked what ethical dilemmas they face and how helpful the ethical guidelines are with these dilemmas. Results indicate that family therapists are encountering dilemmas which are not included in the Principles, significantly more often than those that are included. The ethical principles were found to be helpful for those ethical dilemmas attended to by the Principles.     

Social indicators of human nutrition: Measures of nutritional status

The social indicators movement has neglected indicators of nutritional status. This report presents a discussion of the problems of validity, reliability and precision that plague current measures of nutritional status. Additional concerns for technically feasible and economically sound field methods are also expressed. The advantages of the various indicators are outlined. Indicators to measure the distribution of nutritional status across subgroups are presented. Further researcher is suggested.     

Treating bulimia: A combined therapy approach

Bulimia is an increasingly common eating disorder which is separate and distinct from anorexia nervosa. The disorder is characterized by ingestion of large volumes of food, usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative abuse. Although sometimes seen as a symptom accompanying obesity or anorexia nervosa, bulimia is often associated with a normal weight and nutritional state. This paper includes a case study which describes 3 years of treatment and illustrates the personality characteristics common to bulimic patients, demonstrating a marked contrast with the classic anorexia nervosa patient. A combined treatment approach is illustrated which (1) emphasizes individual therapy as the means by which long-term changes in personality can be attained and sustained; (2) uses group therapy to provide peer support and behavioral intervention; and (3) utilizes imipramine to decrease panic and alleviate anxiety and depression.     

Client Evaluation of Therapy in an Outpatient Adolescent Service

This paper describes a follow up study of clients involved in individual or family therapy conducted by a Community Health Adolescent Service. The overall effectiveness of therapy is assessed and comparisons are drawn between individual and family therapy, one and two therapists, and client's and therapist's perceptions of outcome.     

Functional Family Therapy And The Treatment Of Inhibited Sexual Desire

Although inhibited sexual desire is very common, the literature indicates that it is extremely difficult to treat successfully. Functional Family Therapy (Alexander & Parsons, 1982) appears to be a promising treatment approach. This paper defines the major goals of Functional Family Therapy and applies these goals to the treatment of inhibited sexual desire, and a case study illustrates the utility of the model.