Question: Two Options Exist For Your Couple Interview Papers

Option 1: Conduct two interviews (as shown below) and complete two separate papers of 3-4 pages a piece.

If you choose Option 1, you will use the Instructions and Rubric for Option 1 receiving up to 20 points for each paper for a combined total of 40 points.

Option 2: Conduct one extended interview with one couple and complete a 6-7 page paper.

Once you have chosen an option, you will not be permitted to change your mind.

Option 1: Semi-Structured Couple Interview

Interview 1 and Interview 2 can be conducted two ways. First, you can address Part 1(questions 1-4) in interview one and Part2(questions 1-5) in Interview 2, Or, you can work with two couples and complete parts 1 and 2 in a single interview.

1. Hopes and Aspirations of marriage: (You can ask this question a number of ways. Select one or all to uncover the couple's response.

1. Why do people in general decide to get married? They seek something, what is it they seek?

2. When you were younger, you might have envisioned yourself as married. What was it that you hoped to experience?

3. Imagine yourself at the end of your life and you are telling the story to your family of all the things that you are most satisfied with-what will you want to be telling them?

4. What are the components of successful marriage?

2. If possible, identify the steps to their pain-defense cycle. (See Sells and Yarhouse Text or Watch the demonstration video.)

1. What are the conditions where you (directed to both spouses) experience negative emotion (e.g. anger, frustration, discouragement, stress, fear, etc.)

2. When you experience any of the negative emotions, what do you do to find relief?

3. When your spouse seeks relief from negative emotion by his/her showing the relief behaviors mentioned, how do you interpret his/her actions?

4. What feelings are produced in you when you see those actions?

5. What responses are used when you experience those feelings?

Note: Basic couple information should be included (with identity protected).

- How old is each person in the couple?

- How long have couple been married?

- Do they have children?

Option 2: Couple's Interview with an actual couple (not within your own family system). This does not need to be in APA style, though please cite any references you use. The following information should be assessed during the interview:

a. Structural Information (use bullet-point format in this section, brief, appx ½ - ¾ page)

• What are the names (first name only), ages, and birth order of each person?

• What are their occupations and education levels (where appropriate)?

• What is their living arrangement and relationship status?

• What are the roles of each?

• What does the couple like to do together?

• Who does each member spend most of his or her time with?

• Who makes decisions within the couple and how are they made?

b. Developmental Information (must be in narrative form, appx 1- 1 ½ pages)

• Describe the developmental stage of the couple at this time

• Detail any recent significant events/losses

• Are there any anticipated changes/transitions in the near future? If so, how are these anticipated changes/transitions affecting the couple?

• What are the current goals of the couple, including what goals have already been met and how?

• Describe the couple's spiritual life/climate based on individual histories and negotiations as a couple

c. General Impressions (must be in narrative form, appx 1 ½ - 2 pages)

• Describe the communication style observed

• Describe the manner of relating to the outside world (boundaries)

• What are you impressions regarding intimacy and emotional closeness?

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of this couple?

• Other comments/observations

d. Evaluation of the Experience (must be in narrative form, appx 2 pages)

• Describe what you learned through this experience

• Self-evaluate regarding the interview process (What did you feel were your strong points? What do you see as areas of further personal or professional development in working with couples?) and give your overall impressions concerning your working with couples