Introduction.

1. Overcoming Myths About Marriage: The Three Stages of Marriage It s Your Decision The Benefits of Knowing the Stages and Options MythsAbout Marriage That Sustain Problems Debunking theMyths Moving Beyond the Myths: What We Know.

2. The Marriage Triangle: Three FactorsThat Predict Your Marital Satisfaction;
Where the Research Came From Assessment andthe Marriage Triangle.

3. Factor 1: Your Individual Traits;Traits That Cause Marriage Problems The Role ofDysfunctional Beliefs Traits That Contribute to MaritalSatisfaction Two Especially Vital Traits Scoring andInterpretation Guidelines Guidelines for ImprovingPersonality Traits and Attitudes Two Key Attitudes forMarital Satisfaction Emotional Problems and PhysicalHealth Dysfunctional Beliefs That Hinder MaritalSatisfaction Adjusting for Differences Your Big Picture.

4 Factor 2: Your Couple Traits;
Couple Communication Assessment Exercise TheImportance of Communication Conflict ResolutionSkills Flooding and Soothing: A Negative Trait and aPositive Trait Intimacy: The Reason We Got Married Consensus Cohesion Dealing with Power Problems Scoring and Interpretation Guidelines More SeriousMarital Problems Your Big Picture.

5 Factor 3: Your Personal and RelationshipContexts;
Personal Context: Family-of-Origin Influences Relationship Context: Stressors Affecting Marriage Marriage Competitors: Work, Parenting, and OutsideInterests Scoring and Interpretation Guidelines Your Big Picture.

6 Your Own Personal Marriage Triangle:Putting the Three Factors Together;
Using the Summary Sheet Completing Your OwnSummary Sheet.

7 Additional Resources for Marriage Tune-Ups: Individual Traits Resources Couple Traits Resources Context Resources Organizations for MarriageEnrichment How to Find a Competent Therapist.

Notes.

The Author.