Florence W. Kaslow

Satisfação conjugal em casamentos de longa duração: uma construção possível

O relacionamento conjugal esta associado a saude e qualidade de vida, principalmente nos anos de maturidade e velhice, embora o fato de um casamento durar nao necessariamente signifique que o mesmo e satisfatorio para os conjuges. O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar os processos e variaveis associadas a satisfacao conjugal em casamentos de longa duracao, ou seja, mais de 20 anos. Trinta e oito casais paulistas responderam a um conjunto de questionarios ja utilizados em estudo multicultural previo (Estados Unidos, Suecia, Alemanha, Holanda, Canada, Africa do Sul, Israel e Chile). Em cerca de metade dos casais estudados, ao menos um dos conjuges estava satisfeito. Comparando-se casais satisfeitos e insatisfeitos foi possivel identificar que a satisfacao aumenta quando ha proximidade, estrategias adequadas de resolucao de problemas, coesao, boa habilidade de comunicacao, se os conjuges estiverem satisfeitos com seu status economico e forem praticantes de sua crenca religiosa.

Theories and Techniques of Marital and Family Therapy

Histories of the intertwined fields of marriage and family therapy have appeared during the past 2 decades (e.g., Broderick & Schrader, 1991; Guerin, 1976; F. Kaslow, 1982, 1987; Thomas, 1992). Elaborating upon an earlier version of this material (F. Kaslow, 1987), this chapter concentrates on developments in the past decade, a time during which the convergence of the marital and family therapy fields has been accepted.

Death of one's partner: The anticipation and the reality

The loss of a chosen partner is, for many people, one of the most tragic events that can occur. The severity of the sense of loss and grief is contingent on length of marriage/relationship, age of partner and of their children, whether the partners death was sudden or followed a long illness, socioeconomic status, existence of a support network, and whether the relationship was predominantly happy or discordant. This article explores the fear about and reactions to death of a partner. It is based on over 35 years of clinical practice and draws on myriad observations about how family, friends, and patients perceive and cope with this life-altering event. Case illustrations are used, and interventions are highlighted to provide a possible template for clinicians.

Marital therapy supervision and consultation

Abstract This article emphasizes that the focus and content of marital therapy supervision may differ from those of family therapy supervision. Attention is paid to the differences between consultation and supervision, the contract between supervisor and supervisee, the dynamics and content of the supervision process, and the evaluation of what has transpired. Several cases are utilized to illustrate aspects of the joint venture that occurs in supervision. The dynamic evolution of the process unfolds in this presentation.