Problems That Couples Bring To Therapy: A View Across the Family Life Cycle*

This study examined reports of marital problems from couples at different stages of the life course. Data were collected from 160 couples during intake at a family therapy clinic. Couples were asked to indicate their presenting problem, as well as their level of severity in 14 problem areas, such as communication and financial issues. Results indicated that presenting problems were generally the same, regardless of whether the couple was newly married, in the child-bearing years, or married over a decade. Moreover, wives reported more problems in their relationships than did husbands, especially among wives married longer than 10 years.

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