Assessing Interpersonal Relations

Besides the intake interview, which can help gather information, there are a number of assessment measures for determining the quality of an important interpersonal relationship. The questions on these measures generally ask about things like communication styles, satisfaction in the relationship, joint decision making, and in some cases, abusive behavior. Two of the most well-known measures are the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Spanier, 1976) and the Marital Satisfaction Inventory (Snyder, 1979). Therapists and counselors also may choose to interview couples together (with the consent of client and partner), and some therapists may recommend couples therapy (see Chapter 5) as part of the overall approach to treatment if deemed appropriate to help the client. Relationship assessments can yield important information that may be useful when working with couples. 

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Directions Using a five-point scale, you assess yourself and other coworkers on interpersonal communication styles and the use of 24 behaviors important for respectful and trust-building human relations. Read each behavior and determine how much it is like you. Or, if you are rating someone else, then how much is this behavior like that other person (from your perspective). Select a numerical value from the scale and enter the number in the appropriate space to the right. 

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