UNDERSTANDING THE IDEALISTIC DISTORTION SCORE

All of the PREPARE-ENRICH inventories include an assessment of the extent to which there is evidence of idealistic distortion occurring in the answers being given to the category items. 

This brief article (an edited version of an article provided by the PREPARE-ENRICH USA Office) aims to clarify some of the questions that Administrators often have about the use and meaning of the idealistic distortion items.

What is Idealistic Distortion?

• Idealism is the “act or practice of envisioning things in an ideal form.”
• Idealistic Distortion is the tendency to see a relationship in an overly positive manner - i.e. seeing the relationship through rose-coloured glasses.

The seven items for assessing Idealistic Distortion are in Appendix A of the Counsellor’s Manual—Appendix A: Items in Inventory. These seven items describe ways in which individuals can be idealistic. An example is: Item 60 “Every new thing I have learned about my partner has pleased me.” If a person agrees with this item, it indicates that perhaps they are not acknowledging normal human faults in their partner. They are seeing their couple relationship in an overly idealistic manner.

Why do we measure Idealistic Distortion?

As an Administrator, you should be aware of whether individuals are dealing realistically with their relationship issues. When an individual is idealistic, they will tend to deny and minimize issues and will try to create an overly positive picture of their relationship. This individual may answer in an idealistic manner throughout the Inventory. 

Thus, the Idealistic Distortion score allows us to adjust their scores downward in order to compensate for their level of idealism. After this adjustment is made the resulting score is called the Revised Individual Score (REV).

Key Factors in Understanding the Idealistic Distortion Score.

Idealistic distortion is an individual characteristic that distinguishes when a person is seeing their relationship in an overly positive manner. Their Idealistic Distortion score is used to correct their Individual Percentile (PCT) Score on other categories by lowering the score downward in order to create a more accurate score—called “Revised Individual (REV) Score”. 

Since the REV Score is the most accurate score for the individual, the PCT score is not reflected on the Counsellor Report. Because idealistic distortion is an individual score, there is NOT a Positive Couple Agreement (PCA) score for Idealistic Distortion. So idealistic distortion does not impact on the PCA score.

Is the Adjustment for Idealism the Same in Each Category?

No, the adjustment for idealism is greater for some categories than others. That is because idealism affects some categories more than others. 

For example, idealism affects the categories of communication, conflict resolution and closeness much more than leisure activities or family and friends. The exact formula is complicated and is based on research that has established the correlation between the Idealistic Distortion score and the score on each category.

Differences in Idealistic Distortion Scores can Create Tension in the Relationship.

The larger the difference between the Idealistic Distortion scores for a couple, the more frustration both will be feeling in the couple relationship. The person with the high Idealistic Distortion score will feel that their partner is “always” bringing up problems. Conversely, the person with the lower Idealistic Distortion score will feel that their partner “does not understand me” or accept the fact there are problems in their relationship. Both partners will end up feeling frustrated unless each can begin understanding the others point of view.

What does Idealistic Distortion measure versus Marriage Expectations?

The Idealistic Distortion scale measures how much a person is being idealistic and distorting their answers in a positive direction. The Marriage Expectations scale (found in PREPARE) measures how realistic their expectations of marriage are. Therefore, if a person scores high on Idealistic Distortion, they usually score low on Marriage Expectations because they have excessively high expectations for their future marriage. On the other hand, if a person scores low on the Idealistic Distortion scale, they will usually have a high Marriage Expectations score because they realize that marriage will sometimes be challenging.

Where is the Idealistic Distortion score for each person?

In the Computer Report, refer to the top of page 7 to see where the individual Idealistic Distortion Scores are printed. Each partner receives a percentile score from 1-100%. 

High Idealistic Distortion scores (61% or above) indicate a person who wants to create a positive impression about their couple relationship. This person may take a defensive stance with the counsellor and the counselling process in general. This individual may be more difficult to work with because of an inability to discuss or admit difficulties in their relationship.

Moderate Idealistic Distortion scores of 40-60% indicate that the person is generally realistic in describing their relationship. This person is going to be rather realistic about their partner and their relationship.

Low Idealistic Distortion scores (0-39%) indicate that the person has a more realistic view of the relationship and may be more open to discussing problems in the relationship. This person may be pessimistic about describing their relationship.

As with all the specific scores, do not share the actual Idealistic Distortion Score with a couple. Talk in general trends (like the categories above) rather than in terms of a score out of 100.

Relevant Questions to Raise with Couple on Idealistic Distortion.

1. Do either of you think you are idealistic and are wearing rose coloured glasses when describing your couple relationship?

Most premarital couples will be idealistic. This is normal for this stage in their relationship. On the other hand, most couples coming for marital therapy are
pessimistic and have very low scores on idealism.

The person who minimizes problems most often is idealistic and typically
has a higher Idealistic Distortion score compared to their partner.

The person who raises the most concerns or issues about the relationship is typically the most realistic and has a lower Idealistic distortion score than their partner.

WORKING WITH PREMARITAL COUPLES WITH CHILDREN 

Stepfamilies are becoming a large part of our society.  For a couple getting married, the presence of children creates additional challenges.  The time and energy demands of parenting means partners have fewer resources and time to devote to marriage.  Often, couples are not prepared to start both a marriage and a family all at once. 

Using the PREPARE-MC materials, rather than PREPARE, will help couples to:

    * Explore expectations each partner may have about remarrying.
    * Evaluate the impact of previous relationships on their current relationship.
    * Examine parenting issues, including those related to stepfamily relationships.

It is important to remember that PREPARE-MC should be used for both partners if EITHER of them have children. 

Starting a marriage and a family is a big decision, PREPARE-MC will help you best prepare couples for these challenges!
 

CONFLICTED COUPLES - A NEW AUSTRALIAN RESOURCE STUDY

There can be little doubt that the experience of family of origin is an important area for investigation among couples taking PREPARE.  Dr Alan Craddock (National Coordinator of PREPARE-ENRICH Australia and Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology, The University of Sydney) has recently completed a small booklet called Origins: Family Experiences of Premarital Couples. This booklet, written solely for PREPARE-ENRICH Administrators, has three main aims:

1. To identify the different types of premarital couples in a large national sample of Australian couples participating in the PREPARE program.  In particular, the aim is to identify and explore the main differences between highly satisfied (vitalised) and more troubled (conflicted) premarital couples.

2. To examine the differences in family background of vitalised versus conflicted premarital couples in the National sample.  Of major interest is any link between negative experiences within family of origin in the past (separateness, rigidity and exposure to abuse) and present difficulties in couple relationship.

3. To explore the practical implications of these findings, particularly when working with conflicted premarital couples. General strategies for working with conflicted couples are also described.

To order this booklet call (02) 9545 4566 or email us at info@prepare-enrich.com.au

The cost is only $12 and this includes postage and GST.
 

WORKING WITH COHABITING COUPLES INTENDING TO MARRY

David Olson, the author of the new PREPARE-CC inventory, suggests that in addition to discussing the new cohabiting issues category provided in the new CC Report, it would be 
useful to ask each partner these and related questions.

• “What have you learned from living together?”
• “What have been the advantages of living together?”
• “What are the limitations of living together?”
• “How has living together prepared you for marriage?”

To order this pack call (02) 9545 4566 or email us at info@prepare-enrich.com.au

The cost is only $15 and this includes postage and GST.
 

REFER A FRIEND

Do you know anyone who might be interested in becoming a PREPARE-ENRICH Administrator? Over the years we have grown mainly by word-of-mouth publicity.  This is gratifying to us since it shows we are providing a useful resource.

• Please let your colleagues know about PREPARE-ENRICH.
• Tell them about our website:   www.prepare-enrich.com.au

MAKE USE OF OUR HINTS ON THE WEB

We are strongly committed to helping you to work as competently as possible with the PREPARE-ENRICH materials. At the beginning of each month we place a brief (usually one page) article focusing on a matter or theme that is likely to be helpful to PREPARE-ENRICH administrators. 

Sometimes this is a brief summary of relevant research, sometimes a practical suggestion, and sometimes a way of thinking about couples' issues. 

It is good to get into the habit of reading these monthly hints.  The current hint, and an archive of all the hints posted in previous months, can be accessed from the Administrators' main page. News items are also included.

END-OF-YEAR CLOSING

The last processing day will be Wednesday 15th December 2004 and the office will re-open on January 4th 2005.
 

TRAINING EVENTS

For a current list of Training Days go to:  

www.prepare-enrich.com.au/administrators/trainingdays.html

www.prepare-enrich.com.au/administrators/skillsdays.html