To test the hypothesis that relationship beliefs are related to marital adjustment, 46 married couples completed the Relationship Belief Inventory (RBI) and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). Significant correlations were found between the DAS scores and the D and S subscales of the RBI. It was shown that the low dyadic adjustment group made significantly more extreme evaluations compared to the high adjustment group. It also was found that individuals' perceptions of their spouses' relationship beliefs did not display the same trends observed with traditional personality questionnaires, in which marital adjustment was related to female accuracy and greater real similarity between spouses.

The preference of 30 students for 4 seating positions in counseling, formal, home, and 2 social situations and the preferred distance between chairs in the various seating positions were investigated. The subjects were required to indicate their preference for position and distance of furniture as depicted on photographs. Relationships between these preferences and personality variables also were investigated. Results showed preference for different seating positions in some situations although similarities occurred in others. The choice of distance was related to 2 personality factors. Explanation of the present results was attempted and differences from previous studies were discussed.

This study investigated the scope and nature of complaints, related to unethical behaviour, that have been lodged against South African psychologists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) between 1990 and 1999. Certain biographical characteristics of the complainants and their accused also received attention. During this period, complaints were lodged annually against approximately 1% of South African psychologists, of which approximately 15% resulted indisciplinary inquiries. Only 5% of the total number of complaints and 34% of the disciplinary inquiries led to convictions. However, almost 50% of the disciplinary inquiries had not yet been concluded at the time of this investigation. Most complaints (21.3%) involved neglect to renew annual registration. As far as the rendering of services to the public is concerned, most complaints were related to accounts (16%). Other complaints included, among others, problems with psychologists' reports (13.1%), incompetence (12.9%) and improper behaviour (11.5%). It appears that complainants were family members (34%) rather than the clients/patients themselves (26%). The two penalties imposed most often were either a warning or a suspension in the form of a suspended sentence. Recommendations for reducing complaints of unethical behaviour are made.

This study investigated the incidence of depression, posttraumatic stress symptomatology, anger, and guilt in a sample of 40 battered women in a shelter. Analysis indicated that 63% of the 40 scored moderate to severe on depression, 59% manifested high posttraumatic stress symptoms, while 38.4% and 54.5% reported problems with anger and guilt, respectively. Frequency and severity of physical abuse were not correlated with depressive or posttraumatic stress symptomatology.

A sample of 44 male Type A insurance representatives, selected by means of the Videotaped Structured Interview, were randomly assigned to a treatment (n = 22) and a delayed treatment control group (n = 22). The treatment group participated in 9 weekly sessions of group Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy and were followed up after 10 weeks. After the control period, the delayed treatment control group received the same treatment program. Repeated measurements were obtained by means of the Videotaped Structured Interview, Jenkins Activity Survey, Cook-Medley Hostility Scale, and Type A Cognitive Questionnaire. Self and spouse/friend ratings of Type A behavior were obtained by means of the Bortner Rating Scale. Analysis indicated that, compared to the control condition, the therapy significantly reduced the intensity of Type A behavior and its time urgency component. These improvements were maintained at follow-up and were accompanied by self-reports of significant positive changes in Type A behavior and irrational beliefs.