Checkup or check out

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.

In studies of over 15,000 married couples who completed the
questionnaire, and 5,000 unmarried couples who completed a variation,
Olson found he could predict divorce with 85 percent accuracy.