Using cluster analytic techniques, the authors investigated coping strategies (CS) used by families of 13 severe, 22 moderate, and 11 mild head-injured male patients in a marital or common-law living arrangement and the relationship of these strategies to marital adjustment. Three CS groups were identified: a high and medium CS use group that was older than a low CS use group. Injury severity, time postacddent, and patients' psychosocial functioning were not associated with CS use. However, high-use families reported higher dyadic adjustment, while low-use families reported higher sexual intimacy. The amount and pattern of CS use as well as age appear to be important factors in accounting for the relationship between CS and marital adjustment