Marriage Studies in Emotional Conflict and Growth

‘What are marriage difficulties really all about?’ This fundamental question, and the allied one of how help can be given to those in trouble in their marriages, constitute the theme of this book. Originally published in 1960, the authors were a group of caseworkers who over the previous ten years had treated and studied the problems of about 2,000 married couples. They worked as a closely-knit specialist unit in co-operation with psychiatric consultants from the Tavistock Clinic. The work is based on the psycho-analytic theory of personality development and human relationships. This theory is supported by five detailed case-studies which form the central part of the book. The main purpose is to demonstrate the particular therapeutic technique which has been evolved. The book would have been of interest to social workers, doctors and all who were concerned to make marriages as rich a source of happiness as possible at the time. Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.

Acknowledgments. Introduction by A.G. Thompson. Part I: Relationships and the Growth of Personality. Part II: Five Marriages Mr and Mrs Clarke. Mr and Mrs Webb. Mr and Mrs Price. Mr and Mrs Robinson. Mr and Mrs Cooper. Part III: Problems of Maturation in Marriage The Four-Person Therapeutic Relationship and the Functioning of the Caseworkers’ Group. References. Index.

Edited by Lily Pincus, with contributions by Kathleen Bannister, Valery Garden, Joan Hall, Alison Lyons, Herbert Phillipson, Lily Pincus, Eva Seligman, Judith Stephens