This new and revised edition of Fighting for Your Marriage is based on the widely acclaimed PREP(r) (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program) approach. Groundbreaking studies have found that couples can use the strategies of this approach to handle conflict more constructively, protect their happiness, and reduce the odds of breaking up.
Based on twenty years of university research, this popular book will show you how to:
* Talk more and fight less
* Deepen and protect your friendship
* Have a more intimate, sensual relationship
* Keep the fun alive
* Clarify and act on your priorities
* Develop a vision for your future together
To this new edition (the original came out in 1994), the authors have added current research on marriage and societal changes. At its core, however, remains the program that Markman and Scott Stanley, codirectors of the Center for Marital and Family Studies at the University of Denver, created to help couples overcome nuptial difficulties: the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP). Based on empirical research, PREP emphasizes teaching couples to handle conflict better by using the speaker-listener technique, which involves having one person speak at a time while the other actively listens. Because of the authors' unfortunate attempts at humor and some rather unncessary and slapdash-looking cartoon, this is perhaps not to most appealing manual on the subject. Nonetheless, it's still recommended for public and social work libraries owing to the tried-and-true methodology it explains. (Library Journal, November 15, 2001)
"Just about everyone can improve their marriage.They can learn skills to help them handle negative emotions in marriage. It's the discord that hurts kids," (USA Today, December 13, 2001)
Acknowledgments.
Introduction.
UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS ON THE ROAD TO LASTING LOVE.
Four Hallmarks of a Great Relationship: PREP in a Nutshell.
Destructive Patterns: Signs of Danger Ahead.
Changing Roles, Changing Rules: Men and Women in Conflict.
TEAM UP TO HANDLE CONFLICT.
When What You Heard Isn't What I Said: Understanding Filters in Communication.
Talking Safely Without Fighting: The Speaker-Listener Technique.
Controlling the Home Fires: Handling Issues and Events Well.
New Perspectives on Problems and Problem Solving.
Keeping Conflict Under Control: Ground Rules for a Great Relationship.
ENJOYING EACH OTHER.
Safe Harbor: Preserving and Protecting Friendship.
Playing Together: How to Succeed in Fun Without Really Trying.
Sense and Sensuality: Enhancing and Protecting Your Sex Life.
Core Beliefs and Spiritual Intimacy.
STAYING THE COURSE.
Why You Can't Always Get What You Want: Unraveling the Mysteries of Expectations.
Forgiveness: Restoring Hope.
Sticking, Stuck, or Stopped: On the Path to Commitment.
What to Do Now.
Some Thoughts on Domestic Violence.
Resources and Training.
Selected Research and References.
About the Authors.
Index.
Based on twenty years of university research, this popular book will show you how to:
* Talk more and fight less
* Deepen and protect your friendship
* Have a more intimate, sensual relationship
* Keep the fun alive
* Clarify and act on your priorities
* Develop a vision for your future together
To this new edition (the original came out in 1994), the authors have added current research on marriage and societal changes. At its core, however, remains the program that Markman and Scott Stanley, codirectors of the Center for Marital and Family Studies at the University of Denver, created to help couples overcome nuptial difficulties: the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP). Based on empirical research, PREP emphasizes teaching couples to handle conflict better by using the speaker-listener technique, which involves having one person speak at a time while the other actively listens. Because of the authors' unfortunate attempts at humor and some rather unncessary and slapdash-looking cartoon, this is perhaps not to most appealing manual on the subject. Nonetheless, it's still recommended for public and social work libraries owing to the tried-and-true methodology it explains. (Library Journal, November 15, 2001)
"Just about everyone can improve their marriage.They can learn skills to help them handle negative emotions in marriage. It's the discord that hurts kids," (USA Today, December 13, 2001)
Acknowledgments.
Introduction.
UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS ON THE ROAD TO LASTING LOVE.
Four Hallmarks of a Great Relationship: PREP in a Nutshell.
Destructive Patterns: Signs of Danger Ahead.
Changing Roles, Changing Rules: Men and Women in Conflict.
TEAM UP TO HANDLE CONFLICT.
When What You Heard Isn't What I Said: Understanding Filters in Communication.
Talking Safely Without Fighting: The Speaker-Listener Technique.
Controlling the Home Fires: Handling Issues and Events Well.
New Perspectives on Problems and Problem Solving.
Keeping Conflict Under Control: Ground Rules for a Great Relationship.
ENJOYING EACH OTHER.
Safe Harbor: Preserving and Protecting Friendship.
Playing Together: How to Succeed in Fun Without Really Trying.
Sense and Sensuality: Enhancing and Protecting Your Sex Life.
Core Beliefs and Spiritual Intimacy.
STAYING THE COURSE.
Why You Can't Always Get What You Want: Unraveling the Mysteries of Expectations.
Forgiveness: Restoring Hope.
Sticking, Stuck, or Stopped: On the Path to Commitment.
What to Do Now.
Some Thoughts on Domestic Violence.
Resources and Training.
Selected Research and References.
About the Authors.
Index.