M.A. (Counseling Psychology) / Due to considerable changes in modern society, marriage is exposed to a large amount of stress and has become a vulnerable institution. In spite of the high divorce rate, marriage is still viewed as an important institution; still meets important emotional needs and consequently gives rise to high expectations with regard to personal satisfaction. The marriage counselor has a lot to offer in this regard. In this metamodel, marital counseling is seen as an umbrella concept for counseling, marital preparation, pre-marital and marital therapy and divorce counseling. Since the early 1980’s psychotherapy has been characterized by a rapidly developing movement toward integration and eclecticism. Such integration refer to a conceptual or theoretical creation beyond a blending of techniques. With all the diversity in systems of counseling, it became a challenge to integrate existing approaches of counseling. The same trend is found in the field of marital counselling.

D.Phil. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-68).

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-143). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR29628

Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.48-54).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Calvin Theological Seminary, 1992. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the Ridley and colleagues Mutual Problem Solving Program on assessments of relationship satisfaction and perceptions of equity in remarital couples. It was predicted that since the program imposed by its processes and its content, an equitable system by which couples could resolve conflicts, that equity perceptions should improve; and, according to the theoretical propositions of equity theory, it was expected that as equity improved, so should overall relationship satisfaction. Ten couples completed the eight week training program, completing a packet of thirteen questionnaires and one audio-taped discussion of a couple problem, once at pre-test and again at post-test. Using a case study format four couples' results were discussed regarding predictions established by equity theory. It was concluded that at a descriptive level, equity was able to predict the responses of low/no distress remarital couples to the program, but that individual or couple factors were more explanatory than equity propositions when distress was high. Implications for future empirical research was discussed.

The relationship of self-monitoring processes and causal attributions to choice of conflict resolution strategy among married clinic couples was examined. Thirty-five couples and nine individual spouses who were currently receiving marriage counseling completed four questionnaires: the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Scale; Snyder's Self-Monitoring Scale; a Marital Conflict Questionnaire, a measure of attributions; and a Conflict Strategy Scale measuring the frequency with which spouses used Integrative (cooperative), Distributive (uncooperative), and Denial-Avoidant conflict resolution strategies. The following hypotheses were tested: 1) self-monitoring differences between spouses would be positively associated with attributional conflicts and uncooperative modes of conflict resolution; 2) responsibility attributed to the partner would be associated with increased dispositional attributions for the partner's behavior, increased use of Distributive strategies, and lower overall marital satisfaction. Analyses included bivariate correlations and multiple regression analyses predicting conflict strategy and marital satisfaction from self-monitoring and attributions.Contrary to expectations, self-monitoring differences were not related to attributional conflict or conflict strategy endorsed. However, high self-monitoring spouses made more situational attributions for their partners' behavior and endorsed more frequent use of Dental-Avoidant strategies. Responsibility attributed to the partner had a positive relationship to dispositional attributions for the partner's behavior but no relationship to use of conflict strategy. Regression analyses indicated that self-monitoring, Intent to have an impact, and resolvability of conflicts accounted for significant amounts of variance in use of Distributive (uncooperative) strategies. Importance of conflicts, own control, and use of Denial-Avoidant strategies predicted more than three-fourths the variance in marital satisfaction.Results contradict previous research Indicating that partner responsibility Is associated with Increased uncooperative behavior. Present results suggest that self-presentational concerns are prevalent In marital conflicts and may enhance the likelihood of uncooperative/avoidant behavior. Possible modifications in the attributional model of marital conflict to account for the Impact of self-monitoring on conflict resolution in distressed relationships are proposed. Implications for therapy with distressed couples and future research on attributional processes in close relationships is discussed.

This investigation sought to discover, identify and describe in-session change episodes in marital Experiential Systemic Therapy (Friesen et al., 1989) through a naturalistic discovery-oriented methodology. This study responds to calls made regarding the need to study complex and intricate processes, such as psychotherapy (Greenberg, 1986), via discovery-oriented methods (Mahrer, 1988). The observational analysis of 40 videotaped-sessions, of three couples, revealed the presence of ten episodes of change. The actions and interactions of the members of the therapeutic system in these episodes were analyzed via the grounded theory method of analysis. This analysis generated a conceptual framework describing the internal structure of change. The resulting conceptual framework consisted of a core category named synergetic shifting. This category refers to an interactional process in which the partners with the assistance of the therapist moved away from rigid, distancing and alienating interactional patterns toward interpersonal flexibility, compassion and affiliation by working through blocks hindering the couples' engagement and intimate connection. Synergetic shifting consists of four client and three therapist categories. Within the progressive nature of synergetic shifting, the client categories were: (1) owning one's part in the relational conflict; (2) couple contacting: restricted and limited; (3) couple working through blocks to intimacy; and (4) couple engaging compassionately. The therapist's actions and interactions were categorized under supporting, transitional and shifting operations.