Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also in a digital version from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Recreation Management and Youth Leadership, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-100).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Recreation Management and Youth Leadership, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 1997. / Title from title page screen, viewed June 29, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Valeri Farmer-Dougan (chair), Jayne A. Bucy, Matthew Hesson-McInnes, Lanny Morreau, Mark Swerdlik. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-128) and abstract. Also available in print.

Thesis (B.A. (Hons.)) - University of Queensland, 2004. / Includes bibliography.

D.Litt. et Phil. / The need for instruments for the assessment of prisoners to enhance rehabilitation was identified by the Department of Correctional Services. The Department of Correctional Services requested the supervisor to develop instruments for assessing prisoners. The researcher was requested to develop instruments for a specific area of assessment, namely, family assessment. Focus groups were used to identify the specific focus of the assessment instruments for prisoners. Analyzing the results of the focus groups lead to identifying the specific needs regarding a broad field of assessment areas. The main focus of family assessment that was identified through the focus groups are: • Partner satisfaction • Satisfaction with parenting • Relationship with parent (mother and or father) • Satisfaction with support • Family functioning The process of scale development as described by Faul (1995) was discussed. Specific attention was given to the different phases of this process, namely the pre-development phase, development phase, validation phase, and utilization phase. The systems theory was used as theoretical frame for the development of the assessment instruments. From the communication approach, strategic approach, and the structural approach, an integrated approach was developed. This integrated approach was used as conceptual frame for the development of assessment instruments. The five assessment areas were operationalized. Attributes that can be associated with each construct were used to give a definition of each construct. The attributes of the constructs were used as the basis for item generation when the scales were developed. Five steps were followed in the development phase. The items were designed, the scale lengths were determined, items were scaled, a scoring formula was developed, and instructions were written. In the validation phase, the reliability and the validity of the new scales were investigated. The results of the validation study show that the newly developed scales are reliable and valid, and can be used for family assessment of prisoners. Methodological conclusions were used to make recommendations regarding the use of the assessment instruments, the development of programmes, and further research that must be done.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

This dissertation examines the relationship between marital satisfaction and family cohesion across three family life spans among evangelicals. Chapter 1 defines the factors involved when studying the social sciences of marriage, parenting, cohesion and adaptability, and family life cycles. Attention is also given to historical research, trends, recent contributions, and theological insights that apply to the aforementioned subjects. Chapter 2 sets a biblical and theological foundation and thereby acts as a guide for defining values and focus for the precedent literature. Specifically, this chapter analyzes the contributions in the fields of marriage, child-rearing, and family development from a social historical perspective. Chapter 3 examines the methodological design for this body of research through four guiding research questions. In addition, the formulations of procedures for gathering research are identified in great detail. Chapter 4 describes the research findings and offers the statistical analysis to show significance in relationships between a number of dependent and independent variables that constitute the marriage and family paradigm. Research questions are interpreted in light of the statistical information and reports are given through tables and figures to display relevant findings. Chapter 5 interprets the data in a conclusive manner. It explains what the significant findings represent for marital satisfaction and the relationship this has with family cohesion, family adaptability, and on the family life cycle. Findings are then applied to a specific ministry setting. For those interested in the fields of education or Christian education, this chapter explores issues related to this study, from which the reader my benefit from further research. Key Words . marriage, adaptability, cohesion, satisfaction, evangelical, family, life cycle, marital happiness, and marital satisfaction.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-56).

Very little research on marital dynamics has focused on Latinos or Mexican-origin couples, although Latinos are currently the largest minority group in the United States. Furthermore, previous studies suggest women of Mexican origin experience a gradual decline in marital satisfaction over their life course, but examination of this issue has yielded inconsistent findings. The current study was conducted to investigate the influence of three specific Latino cultural values on the marital satisfaction of women of Mexican origin: familismo (family loyalty, unity, and obligation), machismo (male dominance and responsibility to provide for and protect his family), and marianismo (women as self-sacrificing, nurturing, and pious). The goal of this study was to examine the accompanying and shifting cultural values of the acculturation process and increase understanding of the implications of Latino cultural values on marital satisfaction among women of Mexican origin in U.S. society. Two hundred and fourteen married women of Mexican origin, ranging in age from 19 to 68 (M = 37), participated in the study. Data collection was completed online through an internet survey program. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Short Acculturation Scale (Marin, Sabogal, Marin, Otero-Sabogal, & Perez-Stable, 1987), the Familism Scale (Lugo Steidel & Contreras, 2003), the Machismo Subscale of the Multiphasic Assessment of Cultural Constructs-Short Form (Cuellar, Arnold, & Gonzalez, 1995), the Latina Values Scale-Revised (Marano, 2000; revised by Melendez, 2004), the Relationship Assessment Scale (Hendrick, 1988), and a supplemental question regarding their tolerance for divorce. Three hypotheses were proposed in terms of the three cultural values, participant acculturation level, and husband’s generational status, with marital satisfaction as the criterion variable. A large percentage (71.5%) of the sample in the study was well-educated, with either a college, master’s, or doctoral degree; hence, the results are reflective of highly educated, Mexican-origin women. Using hierarchical regression analyses it was found that familismo was positively correlated with marital satisfaction among women of Mexican origin. In addition, neither of the hypothesized interactions (marianismo x perceived machismo (participant’s perception of her husband’s endorsement of machismo) and acculturation x husband’s generational status) was confirmed. Correlational and regression analyses revealed that both marianismo and perceived machismo were significantly and negatively correlated with marital satisfaction. Clinical and research implications, limitations of the study, and directions for future research are discussed. / text