THE PREVALENCE OF LATER LIFE FAMILY CONCERNS IN THE MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY JOURNAL LITERATURE (1976-1985): A CONTENT ANALYSIS

This study assessed the frequency with which the marital and family therapy journal literature focused on problems associated with aging in a family context. Content analysis was used to assess the prevalence of later life family concerns in two leading journals, Family Process and the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, during a 10‐year period (1976–1985). Results indicate that neither journal covered later life family issues to any appreciable degree. It is concluded that elders in marital and family relationships constitute a new frontier for the extension and elaboration of family therapy.