Tah Dah - important research outcomes on benefits of Premarital Inventories - 9/27/07

[Smartmarriages]

Evidence for Effectiveness of the RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE)
Demonstrated in Randomized Controlled Study**
            
New research by Jeffry Larson, PhD and colleagues shows evidence that taking
a comprehensive premarital assessment questionnaire (PAQ) has several
benefits for couples improving their relationship and preparing them for
marriage. 

As a result of taking the internet based RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE)
couples reported:

Improved relationship satisfaction and commitment

More positive opinions, feelings, and readiness for marriage

Increased awareness of individual and couple strengths and risk factors

Satisfaction with RELATE's self-interpretation format & eagerness to discuss
their results in more depth

Improved couple communication

No sense that previously unrecognized problems "were stirred-up"
unnecessarily

A preference by males for interpretation with a therapist or marriage
educator present

An expectation that they may have prevented future relationship problems
 
****This is the first randomized controlled research study on a PAQ
published in a major refereed journal (Journal of Marital and Family
Therapy). For details see: Larson, J.H., Vatter, R.S., Galbraith, R.C.,
Holman, T.B., and Stahmann, R.F. (2007). The RELATionship Evaluation
(RELATE) with therapist-assisted interpretation: Short-term effects on
premarital relationships. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 33,
364-374.
Electronic copies are available at:
http://www.blackwellsynergy.com/toc/jmft/33/3.
 
To reach Dr Larson: jeffry_larson at byu.edu
For info on the RELATE inventory:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/directory/124

In SF we'll feature an overview workshop on the three major couples
inventories plus training institutes on the FOCCUS and PREPARE/ENRICH
inventories. 

> WORKSHOP: Premarital Inventories: A User¹s Guide
> Jeff Larson, PhD, Marie Micheletto, MA, Peter Larson, PhD,
> Three of the best - FOCCUS, PREPARE and RELATE - are described, with
> guidelines for use in premarital education and marriage enrichment.

Two Day Training Institute - Tues & Wed, July 1 & 2
FOCCUS & REFOCCUS - will be scheduled PRE-conf in SF
Marie Micheletto, MA, Tom Schulte
Learn to administer these practical, user-friendly, self-diagnosing
instruments in individual or group marriage preparation and enrichment
settings and qualify to train others in their use. Includes family-of-origin
issues and special applications for cohabiting, remarriage, interfaith, and
dual-career couples. $100 spouse discount.
Click for more information: http://www.smartmarriages.com/foccus.html

One Day Training Institute - Sunday, July 6
PREPARE/ENRICH - will be scheduled post-conference in SF
David Olson, PhD, Peter Larson, PhD
Learn how to help couples prepare for marriage and enrich their
relationships with five 165-question inventories (PREPARE, PREPARE-MC,
PREPARE CC, ENRICH or MATE) and a series of feedback sessions focused on six
couple-strengthening exercises. Qualifies you to administer, interpret and
give feedback on 5 couple inventories. Includes all training materials,
PREPARE/ENRICH leader manual, 5 inventories, and coupon. $50 spouse
discount. Click for more information.
http://www.smartmarriages.com/olson.html


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12th Annual Smart Marriages® Conference, Hilton San Francisco Hotel,
July 2 - 5, 2008  
Pre-Conference Training Institutes June 30-July 2
Post-Conference Training Institutes July 6

Details: http://www.smartmarriages.com/conferencedetails.html

List your program and resources on the Directory of Classes at
http://www.smartmarriages.com

Order conference audio & video CD/DVD/MP3s: 800-241-7785 or
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Coalition for Marriage, Family and Couples Education, LLC (CMFCE)
Diane Sollee, Director
5310 Belt Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015-1961
http://www.smartmarriages.com
202-362-3332