Hint of the Month and News Update - May, 2004
Past Hints
 
May 2004 Hint
Working with mature couples using the MATE Inventory

After four years development in Minnesota, and some modifications in Australia, a new inventory was introduced in Australia in 1996. This inventory is called MATE. MATE is an acronym for 'Middle Age Transition Evaluation'. The take-up rate has not been very high, but not all PREPARE administrators would have the opportunity to work with older couples. However, there is a real possibility that more mature couples would gain great benefits from a relationship strengthening experience at a later stage of their lives. Perhaps you could be using MATE with married couples who are confronted by changes in themselves and thier circumstances as they mature.

MATE can be used with more mature couples to provide them with a current profile or picture of their relationship with a view to encourage them to “take stock” of where they are and to consider what changes they might need to make as they face or passing through major life transitions including marriage, re-location and/or retirement. (Age 55+ is suggested.) 

MATE includes new three categories (replacing the Marital Satisfaction,  Children and Parenting, and Family and Friends categories in ENRICH) 

Life Transitions    
This set of items is concerned with how prepared a couple perceive themselves to be for the changes to their relationship as they face retirement issues.

Intergenerational Issues  
These items assess couples’ perceptions of the relationship with their children, grandchildren and aging parents.

Health Issues     
This set of items open up awareness of how health issues might influence the relationship.

MATE is a valuable but neglected part of the PREPARE-ENRICH range of inventories and resources. 
 
The MATE pack and access to the program is available to those Administrators who have completed both PREPARE and ENRICH training. 

      The pack includes: 
      3 MATE Booklets 
      3 MATE Response Sheets 
      1 MATE "Building a Strong Marriage" 
      1 MATE Counsellor Feedback Form 
The above materials are contained in an envelope punched to fit in the back of your training manual. The cost of the Pack and access to the MATE program is only $15 post-free. You can order via email (info@prepare-enrich.com.au) or by calling the National Office on 02 9545 4566.

The cost of processing MATE is in line with each of the other inventories -$38.50 (includes $3.50 GST) per couple. 

Past Hints 

News Update:  

    If you have sent us some processing, and you feel a reasonable time has passed and you have not received the report, please contact us. Things do go astray in the mail and Administrators sometimes fail to ensure that identifying information accompanies the answer sheets!
    If you have not already read it, the December 2003 issue of the Newsletter, the Prepare Diary, is available on this web site.  Access is via this link:  Newsletter - December 2003 
    The next newsletter will be posted on the web site in June 2004. 

    Brief articles are included on marriage enrichment programs, understanding positive and negative items, as well as an update on Prepare-CC. 

    Skills development training seminars are listed at: Skills Development Opportunities 

    The cost of processing has not been increased and remains at $38.50 (including GST).