We are currently conducting a longitudinal study to explore marital and family interactions. About 100 families (married spouses with a child between the ages of 11 and 16) are being recruited to participate in up to three phases of the study:

completing a packet of self-report measures via mail;

possibly participating in four 10-minute videotaped interactions here in the lab;

and completing an additional set of surveys by mail again in one year.

Families are compensated at each level of participation in the study. They can earn up to $20 in Blockbuster gift cards and $55 in mall gift certificates.

We are also conducting an additional recruitment so that we will be able to obtain data from more families. These families will receive gift cards from Wal-Mart for their participation in the study.

The self-report surveys are designed to assess individual, marital, and family functioning. For example, some of the constructs we are measuring include: depression, child behavior problems, parenting alliance, levels of marital and familial conflict, and whether or not a betrayal has occurred in the marriage. We hope to learn more about how families cope with various issues, including:

betrayal

conflictual topics and conflict resolution

marital power

parenting

If you are interested in learning more, you can e-mail Nate Tomcik, M.A. or Kristina Coop Gordon, Ph.D.

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