Colleen I. Murray

The Paradox of Stability and Change in Relationships: What Does Chaos Theory Offer for the Study of Romantic Relationships?

This article explores the potential relevance of chaos theory in understanding development and change in romantic relationships. Chaos theory implies that relationship development may not be linear, that relationships may quickly and spontaneously shift to different states and relational patterns, and that predicting their future state may be problematic. Furthermore, chaos theory generates several methodological and statistical issues for relationship studies. The application of chaos theory may increase the understanding of relation- ships as it stimulates a renewed emphasis on relationships as process, a moving from concern with predictability to emerging patterns, seeing variability as normal, and the recognition of the need for multiple perspectives and methods in studying relational development.

FAMILY AND JOB INFLUENCES ON ROLE SATISFACTION OF EMPLOYED RURAL MOTHERS

One hundred fifty rural employed mothers were surveyed to determine family and job predictors of satisfaction with the dual-work role. Findings indicated the saliency of job satisfaction variables in determining role satisfaction among this group of women as opposed to hypothesized reference group support variables and nontraditional value orientation variables. Discussion centered on the importance of employment outside the home to life satisfaction, particularly for mothers of older children.

Identity and Family Relations in Early Adolescence

The focus of this paper is on elements of the family system that influence and are influenced by work on identity in early adolescence. The argument is made for the need to study the family from a bidirectional and systems perspective. Yet, studies on both the process of development and the content of adolescent and parental identity lack either approach. A consideration of the interactive and multiplicative effects of each parent-adolescent dyad, the marital relationship, and family rules on identity development of each family member is suggested. Family response to the childs efforts to express individuality is discussed and clarified through the specific case of the reciprocal influences of authority relations and individuation.

Working with parents of spinal cord injured adolescents: A family systems perspective

Concepts from family systems theory are used to facilitate understanding of the needs of families coping with the spinal cord injury of an adolescent. Five assumptions derived from systemic principles are discussed as related to assessment and family functioning. Related suggestions are given for assisting parents in dealing with this non-normative stressor and its long-range effects on the adolescent and family.