Marital satisfaction

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. 

Snyder, D. K. (1979). Multidimensional assessment of marital satisfaction. journal of Marriage and the Family, 41, 813-823. 

Some of these relationships clearly provide temporary satisfaction and rewards to one or both parties. Lee (2002) studying Taiwanese male travellers reports that activities deriving from the sexual liberation of other parts of Asia are sought out and are synonymous with access to a better freer lifestyle. Additionally, as Cohen (2003) has documented, the sexually-oriented tourism relationships may not always be short-lived. Cohen analysed cross-national marital relationships, some of which commenced in tourism contexts and observed the persistent and expanding financial demands by the women on behalf of themselves and their family. The problems appeared to be the greatest when the foreigner stayed in Thailand. Although an initially difficult period was often encountered, a number of... 

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