Development of Parameters for Assessing the Functionality of Partner's Relationship

Premarital partner’s relationship is one of the most important stages in process of creation a strong and long-lasting unit [Andreeva T.V., 2004]. Today, the number of options and types of relationships are so diverse that person more than before need specialized and professional assistance to select of his personal way of creating a relationship with another person. However, practitioners in family counseling and others related psychological areas need methods of collecting information about the initial state of relations, which would correspond with high theoretical and methodological standards. This research is the first, partly preparatory step in the process, which aim is the design such diagnostic tool. Following goals have been completely or partially obtained: conceptualization of the studied phenomenon and determination of its indicators, the beginning of the validation process, development and modeling of ways, how to identify and evaluate the characteristics of the construct, as well as the principles of their presentation to the respondents, interpretation and so on. Also it was made an attempt to pilot test version of diagnostic tool for confirming some hypotheses regarding the functionality and dysfunctionality of relationships and criteria for their empirical determination. Additionally, a range of limitations or incorrect assumptions identified disadvantages in procedure, theoretical framework and empirical testing. Some suggestions and recommendations to improve the diagnostic means have been described in the paper. These measures can be applied by future researchers and are the next step for the development of quality diagnostic tools.