BONDING AND EMOTIONAL REEDUCATION OF COUPLES IN THE PAIRS TRAINING .2.

This research study uses quantitative and qualitative research methods to evaluate the impact of bonding (physical closeness and emotional o penness) and catharsis in the Bonding and Emotional Reeducation (BER) segment of PAIRS training (Practical Application of Intimate Relations hip Skills). Participants were assessed by means of measures of marita l adjustment, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, control, and support. The results suggest that BER can lead to significant improvements in m arital adjustment, cohesion, self-esteem, and anxiety levels. The resu lts also show significant differences for PAIRS in marital adjustment, consensus, affection, satisfaction, and self-esteem. The study explor es differences in changes for males and females. Exploratory findings indicate that the PAIRS approach may be useful for distressed couples and suggest that there may be gender differences associated with chang es in marital satisfaction.