Product Description

This new and revised edition of Fighting for Your Marriage is based on the widely acclaimed PREP(r) (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program) approach. Groundbreaking studies have found that couples can use the strategies of this approach to handle conflict more constructively, protect their happiness, and reduce the odds of breaking up.
Based on twenty years of university research, this popular book will show you how to:
∗ Talk more and fight less
∗ Deepen and protect your friendship
∗ Have a more intimate, sensual relationship
∗ Keep the fun alive
∗ Clarify and act on your priorities
∗ Develop a vision for your future together

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #258088 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 374 pages

Review
To this new edition (the original came out in 1994), the authors have added current research on marriage and societal changes. At its core, however, remains the program that Markman and Scott Stanley, codirectors of the Center for Marital and Family Studies at the University of Denver, created to help couples overcome nuptial difficulties: the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP). Based on empirical research, PREP emphasizes teaching couples to handle conflict better by using the speaker–listener technique, which involves having one person speak at a time while the other actively listens. Because of the authors′ unfortunate attempts at humor and some rather unncessary and slapdash–looking cartoon, this is perhaps not to most appealing manual on the subject. Nonetheless, it′s still recommended for public and social work libraries owing to the tried–and–true methodology it explains. (Library Journal, November 15, 2001)

"Just about everyone can improve their marriage.... They can learn skills to help them handle negative emotions in marriage. It′s the discord that hurts kids," (USA Today, December 13, 2001)

Review
"...recommended for public and social work libraries owing to the tried–and–true methodology it explains." (Library Journal, November 15, 2001)

"Just about everyone can improve their marriage.... They can learn skills to help them handle negative emotions in marriage. It′s the discord that hurts kids," (USA Today, December 13, 2001)

From the Inside Flap
You′ve seen the authors on Oprah, 20/20, 48 Hours, BBC, and CNN and read about their work with couples in Reader′s Digest, The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Times, The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, Redbook, Psychology Today, Modern Bride, Ladies Home Journal, Woman′s Day, New Woman, and McCall′s.
Now, read Fighting for Your Marriage and see what all the excitement is about.
This new and revised edition of Fighting for Your Marriage is based on the widely acclaimed PREPÒ (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program) approach. Groundbreaking studies have found that couples can use the strategies of this approach to handle conflict more constructively, protect their happiness, and reduce the odds of breaking up.
Based on twenty years of university research, this popular book will show you how to:
∗ Talk more and fight less
∗ Deepen and protect your friendship
∗ Have a more intimate, sensual relationship
∗ Keep the fun alive
∗ Clarify and act on your priorities
∗ Develop a vision for your future together

Customer Reviews

Trouble talking, don't understand each other? Get this book!
This is a great book and has helped my wife and I come back from the brink. It is old (originlly 1990s I think but this version is 2001) and American but this does not detract from the book at all; the points it raises are timeless and not specific to any national trait! Its main point is that most issues in a marriage can be traced back to bad communication. Although you talk together, you might not be able to hear or understand or even talk effectively or, as with us, all three! This sounds odd because I can talk perfectly well with my friends, but the book explains why this can all go wrong with the most valuable, important and loved person in your life - your partner. Chapter titles like "When what you heard isn't what I said", "Talking Safely without Fighting" and "Playing together: How to succeed in fun" all help explain. The book then presents ways to work round them; simple techniques to help break the vicious circles that can occur. Using these techniques you can start to recover some trust, respect, love, support and all those things you need to then be able to sort things out long term. For Jackie and I this was exactly what we needed. We found the book very readable, not condescending at all, and although it is a tad sugary in places these were very easy to over look. For us, it's been a marriage saver and far better than any counselling services that we have used in the past, I wish we had heard about it years ago. So, if you both are committed to fighting to save the marriage rather than fighting each other to get out of the marriage, then spend the money on the book and not solicitors.

An EXCELLENT source for clinicians or individuals!
The authors' presentation of the PREP approach is concise and meaningful for clinicians, therapists, and individuals alike who are seeking a model for conflict resolution and enrichment of ANY intimate relationship. Although written in the context of heterosexual marriage, the same principles obviously apply to homosexual and non-traditional unions. Highly recommended from a doctoral level clinician who has found this model to work in both straight and gay/lesbian relationships.

One of the best relationship books on the market for couples
I have been trained by Markman, Stanley and Blumberg in the PREP program. Since the training, my spouse and I have worked with couples using their techniques and I have delivered numerous short presentations on the PREP program. The book is an excellent introduction to the process and if followed carefully, it can enrich the relationship of engaged couples and improve any marriage. I highly recommend it. Dr. M. Jean Turner, Associate Professor Family Studies Dr. William C. Bailey, Associate Professor Family Studies--both of the U. of Arkansas