Table of Contents

Contents

* Introduction
* The Organization of the Book
* Learning aids Used in Each Chapter
* Which Clients Will benefit from the Information in This Book?
* Part I. The Resiliency Cornerstone: Creating an Optimistic Philosophy of Life
* Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-Behavioral
* Rational Emotive Psychotherapy
* Restructuring and Reframing Marital Perceptions
* Metaphors
* The Marriage Tax
* Choose an Identity: Be a Duck or a Sponge
* The Art of a Successful Marriage
* Chapter 1. Anger and the Couple Relationship
* The Heads and Tails of Couple anger: Self-Imposed and Retaliatory Anger
* Self-Imposed Anger
* Retaliatory Anger
* The Three Worst Ways to Respond to Spousal Aggravation
* Positive Ways to Respond to Spousal Anger
* Types of Arguments Between Couples
* Anger and Violence
* Learning Aids
* Chapter 2. Depression and the Couple Relationship
* Marital Distress Provokes and Maintains Depression
* What Causes Depression?
* Common Personality Traits and Depression Marriage
* External Stress and Depression in Marital Relationships
* Coping Styles and Depression in Marriage
* The Protective Nature of Social Support
* Characteristics of Marriages with a Depressed Partner
* Effectiveness of Marital Therapy in Treating Depression
* Enlisting the Aid of a Resourceful Spouse
* Learning Aids
* Chapter 3. Anxiety and the Couple Relationship
* Anxiety: What Are the Symptoms?
* The Existential Meaning of Anxiety
* Couple Anxiety and the Use of Defense Mechanisms
* Provokers of Anxiety in Marriage
* Loneliness
* Maladaptive Responses to Anxiety: Alcohol Use, Anxiety, and the Marital Relationship
* Characteristics of the Anxiety-Reducing Spouse
* Learning Aids
* Part II. The Social Support Cornerstone: Creating Family and Community Roles That Enhance the Partner Relationship
* Theoretical Orientation: Sociocognitive
* The Cultural Influence of Work on Marital Relationships
* The Cultural Changes in Parenting and Their Effect on Family Life
* Cultural and Religious Diversity and Its Effect on In-Law Relationships
* Cultural Conflicts and the Wedding Ceremony
* Coping Strategies Characteristic of Intercultural In-Law Relationships
* The Phenomenon of Cultural Confusion
* Chapter 4. Parenting and the Couple Relationship
* The Task of Parenting
* The Bidirectional Approach: How Children Influence Parents
* Influence of Family Dynamics on Marital Relationships
* Developmental Tasks for Couples During the Family Life Span
* Learning Aids
* Chapter 5. Effects of Housework and Employment on Couple Relationships
* Housework and the Couple Relationship
* Employment and Its Effects on the Couple Relationship
* Major Types of Spillover
* Methods of Coping: Home-Based Work
* Learning Aids
* Chapter 6. In-Laws and the Couple Relationship
* In-Law Combinations
* Factors Affecting In-Law Relationships
* Learning Aids
* Part III. The Adaptability Cornerstone: From Adaptability to Rigidity--Reducing Conflict with Effective Communication
* Theoretical Orientation: Family Systems and Psychodynamics
* Psychodynamic Theories
* Systems Theories and Couple Communication
* Chapter 7. Communication
* What Do Couples Communicate About?
* Communication Problems
* Methods for Improving Marital Communication
* Learning Aids
* Part IV. The Self-Fulfillment Cornerstone: Creating a Spiritual Connection
* Theoretical Orientation: Humanistic and Theological
* Self-Fulfillment Through Commitment and Trust
* Organized Religion, Spirituality, and Marriage
* Eastern Religions, Personal Fulfillment, and Marital Fulfillment
* Judeo-Christian Religious Traditions, Personal Fulfillment, and Marital Satisfactions
* Personality Theories, Personal Fulfillment, and Marital Satisfactions
* Chapter 8. Sexuality and th

About the Author

Linda Berg Cross