FOCCUS Scoring and Interpretation

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

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)

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)

FOCCUS Content cont’d 2. Skills Communication Problem Solving

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

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

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?

FOCCUS Content cont’d Special Groups Interfaith Remarriages Cohabiting Couples

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

How to interpret FOCCUS 2 reports

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

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