Dr James Alexander, PhD- Psychologist

An innovative pre-marriage program has demonstrated the benefits of watching 5 movies per month as a couple, and together answering a range of relationship issues questions posed by the movies. The early years of a committed relationship can be particularly stressful as people get used to sharing their lives, time and personal space with another person. Many relationships falter in the first few years. Using a sample 174 couples, the UCLA marriage enrichment project managed to cut the 3 year divorce rate in half by getting people to ponder the relationship issues presented in a list of specific movies. The movies included a mix of classics and lesser known ones, as well as old and newer movies. Click on the link below (at the bottom of the linked page) for a list of the movies and the questions which couples were required to discuss.

The results of the study point to the need for a heightened level of awareness in regards to how we approach relationships and our selected other. The world can easily intrude, with the business of life, jobs, kids, commitments, and the needs of the relationship can easily take a back seat. Movies plus targeted discussion appear to be an enjoyable way of keeping relationship needs in awareness. My guess is that established relationships could do with this type of intervention as well, as relationships in distress often result from a loss of awareness more than anything else. People dont, by and large, set out to hurt each other. But this often results when we simply lose awareness of the importance of the relationship in our lives.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140131130514.htm