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The purpose of this study was to explore the life narratives of a group of self-identified depressed individuals. A qualitative research approach, specifically a multiple case study method was used, consisting of interviews in narrative format with people who were suffering from depression. The common themes seemed to be: the participants attached negative meanings to their life experiences; they used negative language, particularly in the form of generalisations, to articulate their stories; and they found socio-political narratives to be subjugating. The study suggested that a narrative approach to therapy could be fruitful in the treatment of depression, especially through helping people to find positive meanings for life experiences; re-authoring life narratives using fewer negative generalisations; confronting and transcending subjugating political stories; assisting the individual to discover and build upon unique outcomes; and encouraging the extemalisation of depression.

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<p>The aim of this article is to explore the relationship between marital satisfaction and family-of-origin factors amongst couples with children. Locke and Wallace’s Marital Adjustment Test and the McMaster Family Assessment Device were used to measure marital satisfaction and family of-origin factors respectively. Family-of-origin factors, such as problem solving, communication, roles, affective involvement and behavioural control were investigated. The sample consisted of 47 married couples. A significant relationship was found between roles and affective responsive- ness as family-of-origin factors and marital satisfaction, while roles as a family-of-origin factor played an important role in the wife as well as her husbands’ marital satisfaction. The findings emphasise the importance of functioning in the family-of-origin as a potential determinant of future marital satisfaction.</p><p><strong>Opsomming</strong></p><p>Die doel van hierdie artikel is om die verwantskap tussen huweliks-bevrediging en gesin-vanoorsprong- faktore onder pare met kinders te ondersoek. Locke en Wallace se Marital Adjustment Test en die McMaster Family Assessment Device is gebruik om onderskeidelik huweliksbevrediging en gesin-van-oorsprong-faktore te meet. Gesin-van-oorsprong-faktore, soos probleem-oplossing, kommunikasie, rolle, affektiewe betrokkenheid en gedragsbeheer is ondersoek. Die steekproef het uit 47 getroude pare bestaan. 'n Beduidende verwantskap is tussen rolle en affektiewe responsiwiteit as gesin-van-oorsprong-faktore en huweliksbevrediging gevind, terwyl rolle as 'n gesin-van-oorsprong- faktor 'n belangrike rol in die vrou sowel as die man se huweliks-bevrediging gespeel het. Die bevindinge beklemtoon die belangrikheid van funksionering in die gesin van oorsprong as 'n potensiële determinant van toekomstige huweliksbevrediging.</p><p><strong>How to cite this article:</strong></p><p>Botha, A., Van de Berg, H.S. & Venter, C.A.V., 2009, 'The relationship between family-of-origin and marital satisfaction'<em>, Health SA Gesondheid </em>14(1), Art. #441, 7 pages. DOI:10.4102/hsag.v14i1.441</p>

The aim of this research was to establish what black adults' perceptions are of factors that contribute to healthy family functioning. Qualitative research was conducted. Random sampling was used to obtain eighteen black participants between the ages of 20 and 60. These participants responded in writing to the following open ended question: "What factors do you think contribute to healthy family functioning?'Setni-structured interviews were also conducted with the eight participants who presented with the richest data. Analysis of the data yielded 10 prevalent themes and eleven other themes. All these themes were compared to existing research results. It appeared that themes of this study correspond with many dimensions of family functioning as indicated by family therapy models and existing research. Participants also indicated new dimensions not mentioned by the existing literature. Recommendations were made concerning future research.