This study examined the relationship between marriage and psychological well-being using a sample from the National Survey of Families and Households panel data. Eight different marital status groups were identified and used to test two competing perspectives explaining the relationship between marriage and individual psychological well-being (protection vs. selection). Findings confirmed the strong effects of marital status on psychological well-being, supporting the protection perspective. The effect of the quality of marital (cohabiting) relationship on psychological well-being was significant, but the strong effect of marital status remained unchanged after controlling for relationship quality. Findings also indicated that the transition to cohabiting did not have the same beneficial effects as marriage for psychological well-being, suggesting that the protective effects of marriage are greater than those of cohabiting relationships. The selection effects of psychological well-being were found to be weak and inconsistent. The findings generally did not vary by gender.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between adolescent functioning (i.e., self-esteem and academic achievement) and parental support, behavioral control, and psychological control in European American and African American adolescents. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that supportive behaviors of African American mothers toward their adolescent children positively predicted both self-esteem and academic achievement. Psychological control was significantly related to adolescent self-esteem in both the models of paternal parenting (African American and European American) and maternal parenting (African American). In addition, among European American adolescents, behavioral control was a significant predictor of academic achievement and self-esteem. This study provides support for the methodological value of examining the parenting dimensions independently as opposed to combining them to form parenting styles.

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Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households (1988), this study examines cultural variations in social networks and support. The responses of African American (n=2,391), Asian (n=127), Caucasian (n=9,403), and Hispanic (n= 1,004) adults were compared, controlling for education. Multivariate analysis of covariance and logistic analysis indicated few cultural differences. However, the three ethnic minority groups were more likely to rely on parents or children for support as compared to Caucasians; African Americans were more likely to participate in religious organizations; Asian Americans were more likely to be involved in occupational and nationality groups; and Asian Americans and Caucasians were more likely to participate in recreational groups. These findings suggest different strategies for using networks as resources and paths of intervention across cultures.

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. National Council on Family Relations is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Journal of Marriage and Family.A sample of 102 married men were interviewed and physically assessed in an attempt to develop a biopsychosocial model of male domestic violence. Because the dependent variable, domestic violence, was censored, Tobit analysis was used to identify significant predictors. When analyzed separately, each domain was significantly related to male domestic violence. However, when all domains were considered together, only the biological and social domains yielded independent effects. Significant independent variables included alcohol, family income, and relationship quality, with testosterone approaching significance. It is widely accepted that the etiology of family violence is a multifaceted phenomenon that canKey Words: biopsychosocial, domestic violence, spouse abuse. From the standpoint of a physician, Engel (1977) wrote: Journal of Marriage and the Family 57 (May 1995): 307-320 307 This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.82.206 on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:51:29 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions Journal of Marriage and the FamilyThe boundaries between health and disease, between well and sick, are far from clear and never will be clear, for they are diffused by cultural, social, and psychological considerations.... By evaluating all of the factors contributing to both illness and patienthood, rather than giving primacy to biological factors alone, a biopsychosocial model would make it possible to explain why some individuals experience as "illness" conditions that others would regard merely as "problems of living," be they emotional reactions to life circumstances or somatic symptoms (pp. 132-133).A more recent formulation of this perspective is presented by McDaniel, Hepworth, and Doherty (1992), who utilized the term biopsychosocial systems model to highlight the interactive nature of biological, psychological, and social phenomena regarding health and illness. According to this model, such phenomena are seen as not only existing in an arranged hierarchical ordering, but also as having a consistent and reciprocal impact on one another. Here, biological system factors are thought to exist in and interact with psychological system factors, both of which are hypothesized to exist in and interact with family and other social system factors. Hence, descriptions that result within this framework are not simply summative but rather assert multiplicative relationships among these factors.From this perspective, all theoretical, empirical, and clinical efforts must account for the complex interplay of biological, psychologic...

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Because male athletes have exhibited aggressive tendencies in a variety of settings, they may be at risk for using violence both within and beyond their sports involvement. Five former college/professional hockey players were interviewed to determine their perspectives on the nature of aggression and violence in sports competition as well as in social relationships.The informants were asked aboutathletes’violence and aggression toward teammates, acquaintances, and female intimates. This analysis includes participants’ experiences, observations, and explanations of the instances of violence in hockey culture. The study findings yield (1) a greater understanding of the ways in which hockey socialization and athletes’notions of masculinity combine to create a culture of aggression and violence and (2) two major factors—consumption of alcohol and the objectification of women—that contribute to exporting violence outside the athletic arena.