Currently in the United States, millions of adults suffer from alcohol use disorders. Alcohol use disorders include both alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. Alcohol abuse is a problem pattern of drinking behavior that results in disruptions in work, school, and/or family life. This may include taking risks under the influence of alcohol that put the drinker or others at risk. Alcohol dependence includes any of the symptoms associated with alcohol abuse, but is more serious. Symptoms of alcohol dependence include cravings (a strong desire or need to drink), a loss of control, regularly…
Money can be the number one source of frustration in relationships. These frustrations ring true for couples regardless of the length of their courtship or the number of years they have been married. This Tip Sheet offers tips to help couples handle the financial strain that often accompanies a long-term relationship. (Author abstract)
There is a strong correlation between family stability and the family's social and economic well-being. Two-parent, married families are touted as the ideal environment for raising children. Research shows that stable, two parent married households are connected to various positive outcomes for child well-being.In addition, there are various positive psychological, emotional and economic outcomes for adults who are in healthy marriages. This is true across various racial and cultural groups. Despite the decline in marriage among African Americans, marriage has historically been and continues…
Long distance relationships are more common than ever. Reasons for this include technological advancements that allow for communication without being face-to-face, the popularity of online dating, and a rise in work related travel and military deployment. Maintaining an intimate bond with your partner while many miles separate the two of you is a challenge. This tip sheet offers ways in which couples can establish clear expectation and boundaries to stay connected and ensure that they maintain a satisfying relationship. (Author abstract modified)
A remarriage occurs when a previously married person marries again. This fact sheet reviews information regarding remarriage patterns, trends and issues in the United States. Please note that this fact sheet is limited because the national surveys and databases that allowed for analyses of marriage patterns no longer exist (Kreider, 2005). Thus, much of this data is dated to the early 2000s. Unless otherwise noted, the information from this Fact Sheet is from information reported by R.M. Kreider in Current Population Reports. (Author abstract)
The potential for stress over money does not go away just because you retire. In fact, it can become more intense. In order to minimize that stress, you must have a solid plan for managing money during your retirement years. This Tip Sheet offers 5 steps to take to create a plan. (Author abstract)
Brief
This federally funded brief discusses how the rise in the popularity of cohabiting is linked to other important shifts in family patterns in the United States, and provides information on the number of cohabiting couples with children, different types of cohabitation, and research findings on cohabitation. Evidence is cited that indicates cohabiting before marriage is a risk factor for divorce and that married couples who lived together before marriage both report and are observed to have worse communication, less marital satisfaction, and more physical violence than couples who did not live…
This fact sheet explores unique stepfamily characteristics and stepfamily dynamics. Data is shared on the number of stepfamilies, different types of stepfamilies, and nonresidential and cohabiting stepfamilies. It is estimated that between 10 and 20% of U.S. children reside in stepfamilies, and data is reported that indicates between 1997 and 2002, the percentage of stepfamilies did not increase significantly for any racial group except for Hispanics. Compared to children living with both biological parents, the fact sheet states children in stepfamilies tend to have more struggles with…
This brief explores how stressful events affect marriages and offers tips for handling stress in a relationship. Tips include: figure out what is bothering you, stay connected to your partner, maintain intimacy, and find a balance between work and family life. 2 references.
Raising children with developmental, emotional, behavioral or medical special needs inarguably impacts a marriage. The manner in which it changes, however, is not determined by the nature or severity of the child's disorder nor even by the number of children with disabilities in a family; the impact is determined by the manner in which the couple handles intensive child-rearing demands and related stressors. Juggling the seemingly endless logistical and emotional issues associated with parenting children with special needs can cause couples to make their relationship much less of a…
