In the background questions to the Prepare-Enrich Inventories, there are some questions about whether or not there have been difficulties with one’s own or partner’s alcohol or drug use (items 24 and 25 in the background questions).  That this may be an important area to encourage a couple to explore is indicated by a recent research study in the USA (Leonard, K. and Mudar. P. Peer and Partner Drinking and the Transition to Marriage: A Longitudinal Examination of Selection and Influence Processes, Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 2003, 17, 115-125).  The study examined the relationships over time among adult drinking, partner drinking, and peer drinking during the transition to marriage. 

Newlywed couples were assessed with respect to alcohol involvement, peer drinking, and risk factors and reassessed at their first anniversary.  The results were very complex and ranged widely over a number of important issues. 

A central finding was that women who were heavier drinkers at marriage tended to marry heavy-drinking men, and both spouses tended to have heavy-drinking peers. 

The authors commented that “…over the 1st year of marriage, the peer networks of these women appear to be reshaped in the direction of increased drinking support. In addition, the husband's drinking has a longitudinal influence on the wife's drinking. These processes clearly have the potential to create a high-risk situation of a self-perpetuating nature for these women...particularly in light of the fact that these women are of childbearing age and have entered a social context (marriage) that will increase the likelihood of pregnancy”. 

It would be worthwhile to look for suggestions of this problem when using PREPARE.  Responses to items 24 and 25 in the background questions would be a good starting point.  The Family and Friends Category might also indicate some issues with friendship networks (see items 73 and 88 in particular).  The general responses to these questions may not reveal the specific issues but these might emerge during discussion and exploration of the category. 

Processing  for the old (pre-version 2000) versions of the Prepare-Enrich inventories is no longer available. 

If you have not yet updated your accreditation to Version 2000 please see the list of Training Days and update as soon as possible.  Remember that Version 2000 was introduced in 1998 - you can easily tell whether you are Version 2000 trained by looking in your Manual at the title page inside the cover. 

Prepare-CC (for cohabiting couples intending to marry) packs may now be ordered. 

If you have not already read it, the June 2003 issue of the Newsletter, the Prepare Diary, is available on this web site.  Access is via the link on the Administrators' home page. 
Brief articles are included on accreditation policy, relationship educator skills and abilities, 
as well as an update on Prepare-CC. 
 

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