In spite of growth of feminist family therapy literature in the last five years, the practice of feminist family therapy is unclear due to the diversity of therapeutic theories. The research question that guided this study was "What are feminist family therapists writing about the practice of feminist family therapy?" A panel of experts was asked to nominate representative literature about the practice of feminist family therapy. / Content analysis and grounded theory techniques were used to analyze the data. These techniques permitted descriptive depth so that the diversity of approach could be included but also provided a way to seek organizational clarity amid the diversity. A core or organizing category and considerable theoretical coherence across the fifty-six authors were discerned. However, weaknesses in feminist family therapy theory were revealed by the practice literature: (1) the role of men in egalitarian relationships is not clear; (2) power is only considered in terms of men's abuse of power, ignoring women's abuse of power and power abuses due to race or class; (3) while familial and societal causality is addressed, there often is vagueness regarding individual causality and responsibility; and (4) a deficit model approach to nontraditional family styles predominates in spite of efforts to the contrary. Suggestions are made for future research and ways to address these weaknesses. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-12, Section: A, page: 4599. / Major Professor: Thomas Edward Smith. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1993.

This study compared Adult Children of Alcoholics and Adult Children of Non Alcoholics at two family life cycle stages; these included the Families with School Age Children Stage and the Families with Teenagers Stage. Respondents were compared in relation to family of origin health/pathology and family of procreation stress, functioning and quality of life. The theoretical framework included Systems and Family Development Theory. / The sample for the Families with School Age Children Stage included 90 Adult Children of Alcoholics and Adult Children of Non Alcoholics while the sample for the Families with Teenagers Stage also included 90 Adult Children of Alcoholics and Adult Children of Non Alcoholics. Subjects responded to a survey containing five instruments and a demographic section. The instruments utilized were the Family of Origin Scale, Children of Alcoholics Screening Test, Index of Family Relations, Family Assessment Device, and Quality of Life: Parent Form. / The study found significant differences between Adult Children of Alcoholics and Adult Children of Non Alcoholics in family of origin health/pathology and family of procreation stress, family functioning, and quality of life. The differences were found at both the Families with School Age Children Stage and the Families with Teenagers Stage of the Family Life Cycle. The integration of family of origin, family of procreation stress, and family of procreation functioning predicted quality of life for both Adult Children of Alcoholics and Adult Children of Non Alcoholics in the equations utilized. In addition, it was found that the differences in age when Adult Children of Alcoholics were exposed to alcoholism in the family of origin was significant for family of procreation stress for them. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-10, Section: A, page: 3689. / Major Professor: Carol Anderson Darling. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1992.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of metamotivational states (as outlined in Reversal Theory and as measured by the Personal Orientation Profile) to the academic performance of collegiate student-athletes. / A sample of 138 student-athletes was selected from athletes attending Florida State University during the fall semester of 1991. The Personal Orientation Profile (POP) was administered to all subjects. A stepwise-multiple regression was used to determine the relationship between 14 metamotivational state subscale scores (IV's) and college cumulative grade point averages (DV). Personal data variables (gender, race, age, sport, year in school, and in-season or out-of-season status) were also stepped in to create the best prediction equation. / Results revealed that four variables contributed significantly to the prediction of the criterion (GPA). Telicism, race, allocentric sympathy, and conformity accounted for 24% (adjusted for bias) of the variance in academic performance amongst student-athletes tested (N = 138) at The Florida State University. The analysis did not show any significant relationship between gender and academic performance. / It was concluded that the results of this study could be important to personnel working with athletes in academic support. A metamotivational profile on incoming student-athletes would impart valuable information concerning athlete's goals, preferences and habits. Also, athletes demonstrating low academic performance might be identified and counselled earlier. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-07, Section: A, page: 2307. / Major Professor: David Pargman. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1992.

In an attempt to understand and explain the channel exchange process, Frazier (1983) presented a conceptual framework which describes interorganizational channel relationships through three processes: initiation, implementation, and review. A review of the channel literature indicated that the majority of the research has concentrated on the implementation process. / This research project attempts to correct the aforementioned problem by conducting an experimental study of the marketing channel review process. Folger's (1983) Referent Cognitions Theory (RCT) is used to examine the review process and to predict outcomes (cognitive emotions and behavioral responses) of the channel members. / To test the RCT framework, a role-playing methodology was used in which owners/brokers/sales managers of national franchise organizations from the State of Florida (162) were assigned randomly to one of eight experimental conditions. / The results confirm the RCT hypothesis that referent outcomes, referent instrumentalities, and likelihood of amelioration interact to determine one's feeling (satisfaction) with the channel relationship which, in turn, influences the channel member's intention to remain in the current channel partnership. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-11, Section: A, page: 4181. / Major Professor: J. Dennis Cradit. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1993.

To prevent a partner's infidelity and relationship defection, men perform mate retention behaviors. Some of these mate retention behaviors are high-risk because they decrease the likelihood of infidelity while potentially increasing the likelihood of relationship defection. Although previous research has indicated that mate value may be related to mate retention generally, research has not addressed these cost-inflicting mate retention behaviors specifically. The current research examines the relationship between men's and women's mate values and men's use of partner-directed insults - a specific type of cost-inflicting mate retention behavior. The results from a sample of 158 women indicate that although men's and women's mate values predict men's partner-directed insults, men's mate value is a better predictor than is women's mate value. Women who report that their partners have lower mate value also report that their partners insult them more frequently than women who report that their partners have higher mate value. / by Emily J. Miner. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

This study was an evaluation of an outreach program designed to modify the sexual and contraceptive knowledge, attitudes and behavior of participating late adolescent males. Using a quasi-experimental design the evaluation consisted of pretest, posttest, and follow-up survey. / The workshop pretests were completed by 575 participants (mean age 20 years). Slightly more than half of them had experienced intercourse in the 30 days prior to workshop attendance. Approximately one third of the sexually active had failed to use contraception. / Posttest and follow-up results indicated the workshops were associated with a significant increase in sexual and contraceptive knowledge, a significant change to more positive attitudes towards male and female contraceptives, and a significant decrease in unprotected intercourse. Participants reported the workshops as clearly presented, interesting and meeting their needs. / It was concluded that the treatment was effective in promoting change in the sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of the participants. This change was seen to extend through the follow-up period. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 42-01, Section: B, page: 0428. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1981.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role differences between rural and urban pastors, pastors' wives, clerks, and clerks' wives on indicators of burnout and marital adjustment. In addition, the purpose of this research was to develop a pool of information relevant to the future understanding and research of the differences between clergy families in rural and urban communities. Variables analyzed included burnout and marital adjustment. Burnout was measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981) and marital adjustment was measured by the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Spanier, 1976). Role theory was employed as the primary conceptual framework. The sample consisted of 248 individuals composed of pastors, pastors' wives, clerks of sessions, and clerks' wives in urban and rural communities from the Presbyterian Church in America across the southeastern United States. / Data were obtained by means of mailed surveys to pastors and elders and were followed up by mailed postcards and telephone reminders. Data analysis supported findings of some previous research that pastors and their wives have a lower quality of life than clerk dyads. It was revealed, however, that distinctions need to be made according to type of community since the stresses surrounding them differ. Two way analysis of variance on husbands indicated significant main effects on both location and ecclesiastical role for Frequency of Personal Accomplishment. Results from t-tests revealed that rural pastors had a significantly higher mean on Frequency of Personal Accomplishment than rural clerks. However, there was no difference between urban pastors and urban clerks. Two way analysis of variance on wives indicated a significant interaction effect on the subscale Frequency of Personal Accomplishment. Results from t-tests revealed that urban clerks' wives had s significantly higher mean than urban pastors' wives, but that rural pastors' wives had a significantly higher mean than rural clerks' wives. Higher scores on personal accomplishment indicate a greater sense of accomplishment about one's role. Raw regression coefficients on age for husbands indicated that as age increases levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization decrease while marital adjustment and personal accomplishment levels increase. Results on age for wives revealed that as age increases emotional exhaustion and depersonalization decrease. It was observed, however, that marital adjustment and personal accomplishment decrease with age noting that wives experience a lower quality of life than husbands with the increase of age. Means on the MBI subscale Emotional Exhaustion Frequency indicated that rural pastor's wives were more emotionally exhausted than both rural and urban pastors. / Additional demographic comparisons and hypothesis testing led to conclusions that rural pastoral couples have a lower quality of life than urban pastoral couples. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-08, Section: A, page: 2669. / Major Professor: Calvin E. Zongker. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1989.

Differentiation and integration of vocational interests is described as the process in which the self organizes experiences which define the personality and career identity of the individual. The literature on vocational development suggests that vocational goals originate in the family of origin (FO) and that a "crystallization of interests" occurs throughout the process of career development (Super, 1963; Roe, 1961). Literature on the socialization of professionals also suggests that the family of origin influences the career development path of the professional (Henry, Sims, & Spray, 1971; Bucher & Stelling, 1977). / The present study investigated the relationship between family of origin roles among groups of marriage and family therapists and occupational development. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the groups of marriage and family therapists included three criterion groups: 258 supervisors, 65 therapists, and 64 therapist trainees. These professionals were compared to a non-therapist group of adults (n = 52). Family of origin roles were measured by the adult version of the Role Behavior Inventory (Verdiano, 1986). The RBI's 50 items are conceptually grouped into five scales: hero, mascot, scapegoat, lost child, and enabler. / A 2 x 6 (gender x grouped experience level) ANOVA on both the hero and enabler scales showed significant main effects for gender across groups and for experience across groups, with females scoring higher than their male counterparts on both scales. No interaction effects (gender x group) were found. The hero scale revealed that males who perceive their FO role as hero-like are more likely to gravitate toward the supervisory role in the family therapy field. Females exhibited similar patterns with regard to grouped experience levels however; all female clinicians scored significantly higher than females-in-general. Comparisons among groups on the enabler scale revealed that females scored higher than males, adults-in-general scored higher than clinicians, and experience level of the therapist was a significant factor with regard to perceptions of FO enabler role. The hypothesized inverse relationship between supervisors and therapists was not supported. The extreme scores of beginning level trainees indicated that the "fit" between trainees and supervisors and the FO role of trainees needs to be further examined as these findings have various implications for the training of marriage and family therapists. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-07, Section: A, page: 1975. / Major Professor: Craig A. Everett. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.

The increase in the percentage of working women has raised issues regarding the relative contribution of work and family to psychological adjustment in women. Specifically, this study examined empirically the extent to which selected indicators of marital satisfaction and job satisfaction contribute to psychological adjustment in women. Marital satisfaction and job satisfaction variables collectively composed the domain of predictor variables. The Dyadic Adjustment Scale was used to measure overall marital satisfaction, and the Power Type Self Classification Scale was used to measure the discrepancy between actual and ideal amounts of control in dyadic decision-making. Five facets of job satisfaction (the work itself, pay, opportunity for promotion, supervision, and co-workers) plus an overall "job-in-general" satisfaction were assessed with the Job Descriptive Index. The domain of psychological adjustment was considered to be composed of state anxiety, trait anxiety, and general personal adjustment, as measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory A, Pt, and F scales. / Subjects were 93 married women from a church population. The women were at least 21 years of age, had been married for at least 1 year, and were employed in some capacity. / A canonical correlation analysis revealed one significant root between the predictor and criterion domains. Post hoc regression analyses indicated that (1) decision-making control satisfaction and general marital satisfaction were the greatest predictors of state anxiety, (2) general job satisfaction was the greatest predictor of trait anxiety, and (3) general marital satisfaction was the greatest predictor of general personal adjustment in these women. / The conclusion is that psychological adjustment in church women is related to satisfaction with dyadic decision-making, general job satisfaction, and marital satisfaction. Implications for women's personal adjustment, marital adjustment, and for counseling with women are discussed. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-10, Section: B, page: 5074. / Major Professor: James P. Sampson, Jr. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1990.

Remarriage families, which are established following divorce, have soared over the last two decades. Most divorced persons remarry. In 1985, 29.7% of all marriages which took place in Canada involved at least one divorced person. A major problem identified in studying remarriage among Northeastern Frenchspeaking Ontarians is the lack of previous research. There are few Canadian empirical studies on remarriage. / This exploratory study was concerned with remarriages where mothers, stepfathers and adolescents were involved. A nonrandom sample of fifty-one volunteer Franco-Ontarian stepfather families answered written questionnaires. All families had one biological parent, the mother, who had remarried following divorce. The Stepfamily Adjustment Scale by Crosbie-Burnett (1989) was translated and adapted to the Franco-Ontarian context by this researcher. The instrument is composed of three questionnaires, individually and confidentially answered by the mother, the stepfather and the adolescent in the stepfamily. These instruments reflect the perceptions of these stepfamily members on the stepfamily adjustment. The data was then compared with a sample of forty-two stepfather families from Wisconsin. / As the samples are nonrandom, generalization cannot be mads to a larger population. The major contributions of this study lie in suggesting that overall the two comparative groups showed no statistically significant differences. The hypothesis that Northern Ontario stepfathers would be more disciplinarians than stepfathers in the Wisconsin group was not supported. It was also found that the couples (biomother and stepfather) were the ones who in reality of daily life made the rules and disciplined the children. Adjustment of these stepfamilies was supported more by the quality of the steprelationships than by the marital happiness of the couples. Sex and age, except the ages of adolescents in the stepfamilies, made a statistical significant difference in stepfamily adjustment. Further research is suggested to assess Northern Ontario Frenchspeaking stepfamilies in a minority cultural context. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-12, Section: B, page: 6453. / Major Professor: Bruce Bellingham. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1993.