PREDICTING DIVORCE AT MARITAL THERAPY INTAKE: WIVES' DISTRESS AND THE MARITAL STATUS INVENTORY*

The Marital Status Inventory (MSI), a measure of divorce potential was given to couples in six independent samples. Scores from the five clinical sites and one marital enrichment sample (N = 241 couples) were used to provide adequate reliability, discriminant validity and predictive validity data. Compound probability for the five clinical sites supports the contention that, overall, wives' are more distressed than their husbands. The MSI was also able to identify couples who later divorced. However, the Guttman properties of the MSI, previously identified, were not replicated. Clinical implications of the higher wives' scores for prediction of divorce and marital therapy are discussed.     

A revised behavioral model of consumer durable demand

A general model of consumer demand for durable goods has recently been proposed by Pickering (1978,1981). Of particular note is the use of expectations of both personal financial and general economic conditions to capture the consumer's willingness to buy. However, it is argued first that these two expectations have Jointly interdependent rather than unique contributions to consumer confidence. In addition, it is proposed that the concept of expectations should be extended to specific product attributes as well. Pickering's model is subsequently revised to incorporate the conceptual modifications.     

Child abuse and neglect in North Carolina day care programs

A study of child abuse and neglect complaints in child day care programs revealed factors affecting the filing of complaints, as well as problems with the investigation of complaints filed with the North Carolina Office of Child Day Care Licensing. The authors specify the cause of the problems and offer recommendations for improvement.     

THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF SUPERVISORY SYSTEMS: A MODIFIED DELPHI STUDY

Few empirical data exist to demonstrate the efficacy of marriage and family therapy (MFT) training and supervision. In order to lay the foundation for a comprehensive model of MFT supervision and faciliate supervisory precess research, variables improtant to the outcome of MFT supervision were identified. A panel of AAMFT Approved Supervisors generated 771 variables thougth to be essential to superisory outcome and rate 398 of these variables as very improtant to the outcome of MFT supervision. The variables were collapsed into five categories and further divided into 37 conceptual clusters. The existing superisory literature tht supports the results of the study and implications of the study are discussed.     

Evaluating state regulation of private forest practices: What accomplishments at what costs

This paper summarizes research evaluating the cost and effectiveness of comprehensive state forest practice laws. These laws regulate forest management on private lands in seven of the United States with the goal of protecting a wide range of forest resources. Forest practice laws impose significant administrative costs on states and significant compliance costs on landowners and timber operators. Total state administration costs for 1984 are estimated at $10.1 million and total private sector compliance costs are estimated at $120.5 million, for a total regulation cost of $130.6 million. The resource protection effectiveness of state forest practice regulation is more difficult to quantify. However, a variety of indicators strongly suggest that regulation has led to significant improvements in forest resource conditions and has increased reforestation levels.     

Micro Ruptures and Repairs in the Beginning Phase of Cross-Cultural Psychotherapy

The article discusses misunderstandings and misattunements that occur in the beginning phase of cross-cultural psychotherapy. Sources of micro ruptures are outlined, including client maladaptive patterns, therapist misunderstandings, cross-cultural misunderstandings due to cultural variations, and asymmetrical power relations involving the impact of prior experiences or current therapy practices. Multiple clinical vignettes illustrate the rupture/repair process, drawing on Safran and Muran’s (2000) list of direct and indirect techniques.