The RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE) With Therapist-Assisted Interpretation: Short-Term Effects on Premarital Relationships

This study assessed participant satisfaction with two interpretation formats and the effects of taking the RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE) on single young adults’ premarital relationships. Thirty‐nine engaged or seriously dating couples were assigned to one of three groups: (a) those who took RELAT...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of marital and family therapy 2007-07, Vol.33 (3), p.364-374
Main Authors: Larson, Jeffry H., Vatter, Rebekka S., Galbraith, Richard C., Holman, Thomas B., Stahmann, Robert F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
College campuses
Communication Skills
Conflict Resolution
Consumer Behavior
Control Groups
Couples
Couples Therapy - methods
Dating
Design
Female
Humans
Love
Male
Marriage
Mental Health
Participant Satisfaction
Personality traits
Premarital
Premarital relationships
Prevention
Psychometrics
Research Design
Risk factors
Sexual Behavior
Short term
Utah
Validity
World Wide Web
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Summary:This study assessed participant satisfaction with two interpretation formats and the effects of taking the RELATionship Evaluation (RELATE) on single young adults’ premarital relationships. Thirty‐nine engaged or seriously dating couples were assigned to one of three groups: (a) those who took RELATE and interpreted the results themselves, (b) those who took RELATE and participated in an interpretation session with a therapist, or (c) a control group. Results showed that taking RELATE with therapist assistance had a significant positive effect on perceived relationship satisfaction, commitment, opinions about marriage, feelings about marriage, and readiness for marriage. Positive effects also included increased awareness of strengths and challenges, improved couple communication, and the expectation of the prevention of future relationship problems. Taking RELATE without therapist assistance produced a small initial drop in relationship satisfaction followed by a marked improvement over time. Both genders approved of two interpretation formats—self‐interpretation and therapist‐assisted interpretation—with males slightly preferring therapist assistance. These results add to the literature on the usefulness of brief assessment techniques as effective interventions with premarital couples.
ISSN:0194-472X
1752-0606
DOI:10.1111/j.1752-0606.2007.00036.x