Therapeutic alliance has been acknowledged as one of the catalysts for change within a therapeutic relationship. The contributions of therapists' characteristics to alliance are not often studied. From a Bowen System's Theory perspective, the therapist's level of differentiation would be highly relevant to the development of a therapeutic alliance. The hypothesis for this study was that therapists who are able to take a more differentiated stance in therapy will build a stronger therapeutic alliance. To test this hypothesis, multilevel modeling procedures were performed, using data from nine therapists and 93 couple cases collected at a large, Midwestern university. Therapist differentiation of self was found to be weakly associated with the clients' perception of therapeutic alliance across the early sessions of therapy, but not in the expected direction. Although the results were unexpected, this study provides an example of the potential of examining therapist characteristics from within one model of therapy, that can be applied across various clients and various models of therapy.

There is limited information on cohabiters presenting for therapy. The authors examined the characteristics of 143 married and 54 cohabiting, young (m = 30.39), Caucasian, couples presenting for therapy. We hypothesized that cohabiters presenting for therapy would be more satisfied and committed than married couples and that they would be similarly emotionally differentiated. We conducted a repeated-measures MANOVA to test the hypothesis. Significant effects between partners and between dyads were found, indicating a difference between clients based on relationship status. Cohabiting clients presented earlier in their relationship and were more satisfied and committed. Cohabiting male partners were less emotionally reactive. Without the institutionalized rules of marriage, cohabiting couples may perceive threats to their relationship earlier than married couples.

Using three nationally representative data sets, researchers analyzed the trends in age at marriage, marital stability, and marital satisfaction across the 20th century. Although there is a well-established link between age at marriage and marital stability, less is understood about the link between age at marriage and marital satisfaction. Previous work in this area suggested that it is the absolute age at first marriage that makes a difference. This study examined this hypothesis as well as a second hypothesis that cultural expectations about the “right” age to marry make a difference. Neither hypothesis was completely supported. Trends in normed marital satisfaction scores varied by birth cohort, years married, and age at marriage in nonlinear ways. Implications for relationship educators and practitioners are discussed.