The Present State Of Family Relations Research

Abstract

The development of family relations research within home economics in recent years is reviewed and assessed. Specific emphasis is on assumptions made, di rection taken, and important methodological and theoretical advances made during this period. Suggestions for future research are presented.

The Evolution of Family Studies Research

“…As a distinct discipline, family studies takes a holistic perspective of the interaction of families and the social structures within which they exist. The mission of family and consumer sciences and hence, family studies researchers, is "to provide knowledge, including research and services, which will promote the welfare of families and individuals" (McKenry & Price, 1984). In other words, family studies differs from other disciplines in several ways but perhaps most important, in its inherent commitment to social change.…”

“…Certainly, marital satisfaction has been one of the most studied topics in the field of family studies research. The centrality of marital satisfaction in the field of family studies is evident throughout the century in classic research reviews by Komarovsky and Waller (1945), Christensen (1964b), Lewis and Spanier (1979), McKenry and Price (1984), Glenn (1990), and Bradbury, Fin-cham, and Beach (2000). And, like so many arenas of family studies scholarship, the study of marital and partner satisfaction has undergone fundamental changes over time.…”

Research on the Marital Relationship: A Critical Review

“…In some cases, the criticism has centered on the definitions for those constructs (Burr, L973;Eshleman, 1981;Price & McKenry, 1984;Spanier & Lewis, 1980). According to Burr (1973), one of the main reasons for the criticism has to do with the ambiguity of the constructs.…”

“…In addition to the development and advances in theories, familv researchers have maintained a strong interest in the measurement of marital satisfaction and adjustment (McKenry & Price, 1984). Many of the advances in measurement occurred during the past two decades (e.g., Norton, 1983;Roach, Frazier, & Bowden, 1981;Sabatelli, 1984;Schumm, Nichols, Schectman, & Grigsby, 1-983;Snyder, 1979;Spanier, 1976).…”

“…Family researchers constantly are encouraged to study more than one member of the relationship for both theoretical and methodological benefit (McKenry & Price, 1984;Straus, 1,964;Thompson & Walker, 1982) Februarv, 1990 repeatedly conceptualized dyadic and group properties, measurement has remained largely at the individual level. The importance of the level of analysis is well documented in Green & Kolerrzon's (1986) research.…”