1. FOCCUS Scoring and Interpretation

2. FOCCUS – The First Stage of Immediate Marriage Preparation
Clearly – FOCCUS not only product (Prep, Prepare/Enrich)
Other local inventories as well
Why FOCCUS?
Primary reason is that it is designed for Catholics, by Catholics
In use since 1984 – expanded to include other groups
General edition
Abridged edition (people with lower reading abilities)
Multiple languages

3. FOCCUS -- Structure 156 item inventory
33 additional items for cohabiting, remarrying and interfaith couples
Designed as a self-diagnostic inventory (does not require mental health training to administer or score)

4. FOCCUS Content Four Major Content areas 1. Match
Lifestyle expectations
Friends and Interests
Personality Match (assume any personality can be healthy)
Personal Issues (assumes that these are problematic areas)

5. FOCCUS Content cont’d
2. Skills
Communication
Problem Solving

6. FOCCUS Content cont’d
3. Bonders (Things that either unite people or tear them apart)
Religion and Values
Parenting
Extended Family
Sexuality
Finances

7. FOCCUS Content cont’d 4. Integrators (Higher order bonders)
Marriage Readiness Issues
Marriage Covenant/Commitment (specifically religious dimensions)

8. FOCCUS Content cont’d
Summary Categories – These are rearrangements of all items
Key Problem indicators (based on years of research, which answers typically lead to problems?)
Family of Origin (In each group of questions, where do family of origin issues arise?)
Dual Career (In each group of questions, where do dual career issues emerge?

9. FOCCUS Content cont’d Special Groups Interfaith Remarriages
Cohabiting Couples

10. FOCCUS Scoring What does it mean to score FOCCUS?
FOCCUS is not a test that predicts the future. It is designed to help a couple target the topics they need and want to discuss. It helps them study, understand and communicate openly about many things that are important to their relationship.
FOCCUS scoring sorts each partner’s responses into categories and patterns to help them recognize their areas of strength and challenge.
FOCCUS scoring provides “Areas for Discussion” in each category where there is disagreement or uncertainty or answer in ways that the authors’ think may be problematic for them. “Areas of Agreement” lists topics on which the couple has agreement and certainty.

11. Creating Sessions Two Methods
Couple Entry Method (in my humble opinion, the best way!)
You can pre-purchase sessions (I order them 50 at a time – there’s a small discount)
Some places require couples to pay for the sessions (your call)
Quick Score Method (a challenge – but works if there’s no computer access)
Couples complete FOCCUS items with bubble sheets and pencils – you send it to them with a 7-10 day turn around

12. How Couple Entry Works Facilitator “creates session” for the couple
Information required – both names and 2 separate s
FOCCUS in Omaha s a user id and password to each individual
Each individual logs onto the FOCCUS website ( with assigned user name and password

13. Couple Log-In
Often, I get asked how to prevent answer sharing – impossible to prevent 100%, but here’s the directions presented by FOCCUS:
Be completely honest. Trust your partner and relationship. FOCCUS is not a test and anything you identify for discussion can be a help to you.
Answer the questions by yourself. Sharing with your partner as you answer will limit the validity of the process.
Begin sharing as soon as both of you finish FOCCUS. Don’t wait for your facilitator or the FOCCUS report. The first priority is discussing issues most important or interesting to you.
Remember, FOCCUS is a snapshot of where you are today. It is time limited and meant to start your discussion, not define you.
Usually, it takes 40 minutes to 1 hour to complete the instrument.

14. FOCCUS Interpretation
Who interprets?
Great tool for clergy
Helps to get to know couple
Helps to identify problem areas
Team approach
Couple interprets and refers back to presider
Interesting finding from clergy in my parish – they like another perspective on the couple
Whichever approach – important to insure confidentiality of couple

15. Three Levels of Interpretation
Couple Level
After couple completes inventory, they often speak with each other about their answers – this stimulates conversation
Interpreter Level
When couple meets with non-professional interpreter – facilitation of couple conversation
Professional Level
Sometimes – beyond your competency – professional help required

16. How to interpret FOCCUS
2 reports

17. FOCCUS Scoring
Online Scoring – most efficient – currently $15 dollars per couple (bulk discount)
Send it back to FOCCUS – time lag
Hand score – unless you have VERY few instruments per year – this is time consuming

18. Questions, Comments on FOCCUS