Whether or not relative rates of assortative marriage have been rising in the affluent democracies has been subject to considerable dispute. First, we show how the conflicting empirical findings that have fueled the debate are frequently an artifact of alternative methodological strategies for answering the question. Then, drawing on comparable census data for Canada and […]

This study examines the relationship between thedissolution of a marital or cohabitating relationship andsubsequent depression among Canadians aged 20 to 64. Data are from the longitudinal component of the National Population Health Survey (1994/1995 through 2004/2005) and include the household population only. Cross-tabulations were used to examine the association of marital dissolution with change in […]

This study examined daily fluctuations in marital behavior (anger and withdrawal) as a function of same-day job stressors, using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM). Forty-three couples provided daily diary reports of their workload and negative social interactions at work on 5 consecutive days. Within-subject analyses demonstrate that husbands and wives reported greater marital anger and withdrawal […]

A growing body of research suggests that men’s pregnancy intentions (i.e., how men feel about apregnancy) and prenatal behaviors (i.e., how men act during the pregnancy) may have implications forfathers’ later involvement with their children. For example, men who exhibit positive feelings about thepregnancies of their partners and who become involved — such as attending […]

This paper presents a longitudinal study of the development of family interactions from pregnancy to toddlerhood, and their link to parents’ marital satisfaction. The participants consisted of 38 non referred primiparous families. We used an observational setting, the Lausanne Trilogue Play (LTP), to evaluate the family alliance, namely the interactive coordination between family members. Families […]

Review of the literature about evaluation design shows that there are strengths and weaknesses for both the traditional pre/post and the post then pre methods when collecting data from program participants. In general, both methods address the need to assess participant change from program beginning to completion. Whether or not the preferred instrument should collect […]

This article presents the results of a pilot study of the Marriage Moments program, designed to prevent relationship deterioration during the 1st year of parenthood. The self-guided, low-intensity program emphasizes strengthening marital virtues and partnership during this time of significant personal and family transition. One hundred fifty-five married couples participated in a randomized clinical trial […]