title: Readiness for commitment: applying psychological constructs to pastoral issues in marriage.
abstract: The current crisis in marriage is partly related to people having problems in living their commitments. To investigate this phenomenon, a self-report instrument, the Commitment to Partnership Scale (CPS) was adopted to identify and measure those factors considered essential to marriage commitment: Attachment, Trust, Maturity, Investment, and Values. The CPS was given to 430 people in a significant relationship, from a Roman Catholic population, and from two different groups. One group was a sample of engaged couples during their marriage preparation courses (N=234). The other group consisted of a number of people who had their marriage annulled on psychological grounds (N=49). T-test results showed a significant difference between the two groups on all factors. The CPE was able to identify problem areas with lower than average scores. These were confirmed when a feedback was given. The CPS showed discriminant validity, a reasonable predictable value for commitment, and real possibilities as a valid pastoral tool.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Theology, University of Malta, Malta.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Galea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002410:Catholicism; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D019546:Couples Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008319:Malta; D008388:Marital Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000379:methods*; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012106:Research; D012925:Social Conformity; D012945:Social Values; D035502:Trust