Sample Case Study One -1

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Florida International University *

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Communications

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Nov 24, 2024

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CASE STUDY: NON-MARRIED COUPLE 1 Case Study One: Non-Married Coupe with no Children Student Name EDCO 820: Assessment of Marital and Family Counseling Department of Community Care and Counseling
CASE STUDY: NON-MARRIED COUPLE 2 Abstract This Case Study will serve as a couple analysis into the relationship of a non-married couple who have no children. This analysis seeks to understand the individual partners involved in this dyadic relationship, as well as the internal and external influences, along with other factors associated with the relational functioning. Two interview sessions were arranged to begin a dialogue to assess and evaluate the couple. In the initial interview session, the couple received basic couple questioning, and each partner’s verbal and non-verbal communication were observed, as well as the couple’s interaction. During the second interview session, the couple was further assessed, by completing two short assessments, which included The Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Emotion Control Questionnaire (ECQ2). After the assessments were completed, scoring and interpretation of the results were provided to the couple. Following assessment of the couple, a comprehensive counselor’s action plan was prepared to summarize the work with the couple. Keywords : Mindfulness, emotional control, assessments, communication, conflict management, action plan
CASE STUDY: NON-MARRIED COUPLE 3 Case Study: Non-Married Couple with No Children Tony and Ginger (pseudonyms) are a non-married couple without children from their current or previous relationships. They are an African American couple who met at church, and have been dating exclusively for 3 years and 9 months. Tony is 27 years old and works in a law firm, preparing to go to law school, and Ginger is a 29-year-old information technology professional. Both Tony and Ginger are living at home with their married biological parents. Tony is the first-born sibling and has a sister who also lives in the parental home. Ginger is the third born sibling, with a 14-year age gap from her older brother and sister, who are both married and no longer living in the parental home. The couple agreed to be interviewed for two sessions for the purpose of doctoral research to gather data of current premarital issues affecting the church and society. Additionally, the couple were informed that the interview sessions would not be for the purpose of premarital marriage assessment. Each session lasted about 90-minutes. The initial interview session provided an opportunity to establish rapport, build trust, and to address expectations and matters of confidentiality (Williams et al., 2014) with the couple. Accordingly, to further assess important aspects of couple functioning, the 8/9 “C’s” framework (i.e., communication, conflict resolution, commitment, contract, caring/cohesion, character, culture, and children) (Williams et al., 2014) was incorporated to use in the interview questioning. Although the interview was conducted virtually, close observation of the couple was established and maintained throughout the session, as observing couple behavior can reveal many aspects of their relational patterns (Williams et al., 2014). In order to gather additional information on the couple and their relationship, Tony and Ginger were asked to complete (individually) two short paper-and-pencil assessments which
CASE STUDY: NON-MARRIED COUPLE 4 included The Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and the Emotion Control Questionnaire (ECQ2). After the couple completed and returned the assessments, they were then scored and the results were interpreted and provided to the couple. Session Action Plan After conducting two couple interviews, and administering the previously referenced assessment instruments, the most notable areas were how the couple communicate, and a closely related issue, conflict resolution. For this reason, the two relational areas of communication and conflict management appear to be the most problematic for the couple. It is not apparent that the couple have attempted to employ any strategies to resolve their differences and have not sought out couple counseling. Analysis During the initial interview, a few telling interactions unfolded around these areas of concern. First, when asked if each felt heard by the other, they both responded with “It definitely depends on the topic.” When asked if either ever avoids communication when angry, Ginger responded with “I’m working on that,” and Tony stated “If the conversation is going off the rails, then I will be quiet.” Additionally, when asked if there were any challenges or issues that they believed were impacting the relationship, Tony fervently responded “Ginger is very childlike, and can be a bit spoiled at times.” However, in agreement, Ginger admitted that he was correct, and that she has always been accustomed to getting her way. Ginger also claimed to be Tony’s cheerleader and is pushing him because “he is stubborn.” Through visual observation, the couple expressed their shared affection through approving glances, laughter, and their physical closeness while sharing a blanket during the
CASE STUDY: NON-MARRIED COUPLE 5 interview. And although Tony and Ginger were not always in complete agreement on a version of the information, they seemed to compromise on the delivery of the information. Accordingly, this couple seems to follow the pattern associated with a validating couple (Gottman, 1994). Both Tony and Ginger have strong attachments to their families-of-origin (FOO) and are greatly influenced by them. Tony has been embraced by Ginger’s family, and has been told that she has become a better person because of him. On the other hand, Tony’s family only seems accepting of Ginger, and she has experienced some “push back” from his mother. Overall, the couple clearly has love for one another, and enjoys spending time together. When asked if there were any scriptures that reflect on when they ponder on their relationship, Tony responded with “Love is patient, love is kind” ( New International Version , 1978/2011, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Evaluation In the discussion that follows, results of the scoring and interpretation of each assessment instrument used for the couple are provided. The Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) Tony and Ginger were given the mindfulness inventory to measure their ability to sense real-time stress or dynamics within surrounding events. The ability to be sensitive to one’s surrounds would certainly help a new couple in their communication and conflict resolution styles. This inventory has a range of possible scores from 15 to 90 and higher scores indicting a greater awareness and ability to cope with life’s stressful situations. With an average score around 37, Tony scored a 59 whereas Ginger scored a 27. When you consider low and high scores, Tony’s score would be considered a moderately high score, yet Ginger’s score would be considered a moderately lower score. One might hypnotize that Tony is much more mindful of his surroundings, what is said, attitudes expressed, communication expressed and maybe even emotions that may not be as obvious.
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