Marriage is a lot like cancer. Catch a problem early and survival rates are excellent.
Unfortunately, most couples having difficulties seek help only when their relationship is at a terminal stage. By the time they're arguing and blaming, "they've destroyed lots of strengths," reports University of Minnesota family psychologist David Olson, Ph.D.
At a meeting of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, Olson put forth the notion of an annual marital checkup to catch problems early. It's easy enough to remember--just make the appointment on your anniversary.
The question couples should be asking is "What can we do to improve our relationship this year?" Olson has developed a method of assessing the health of couple relationships that is now used by thousands of counselors and therapists across the country. Called ENRICH, it is a 125-item questionnaire--completed separately by each partner--that explores conflict resolution, role relationship, financial management, expectations, sexual relationship, personality compatibility, communication, marital satisfaction, and more.
