An understanding of one's own and his or her partner's cultural heritage is an essential aspect to enhancing the relationship. In this article, the authors introduced the Cultural Relationship Interview Matrix. It is a form for couples to complete individually and then to interview each other. The purpose is for bringing awareness to their respective cultural heritage and for enhancing their communication. Four activities and seven tables are included in the suggested exercises.
Abela, A., Frosh, S., & Dowling, E. (2005). Uncovering beliefs embedded in the culture and its implication for practice: The case of Maltese married couples. Journal of Family Therapy, 27, 3-23.
2.
Bhugra, D., & DeSilva, P. (2000). Couple therapy across cultures. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 15, 183-192.
3.
Ebert, R. (2006, January 13). All-embracing tragedy (Review of the motion picture Broke Back Mountain). South Bend Tribune, p. D4.
4.
Eckstein, D. (2001). Counseling is the answer ... but what is the question? 25 questions for couples and families. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couple and Families, 9(4), 463-467.
5.
Eckstein, D., & Jones, J. (1998). Thirty-three suggestions for relationship renewal . The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couple and Families, 6 (4), 334-336.
6.
Egan, G. (2007). The skilled helper (8th ed.). Thomson, CA: Brooks/Cole .
7.
El Nasser, H. (2006, August 16). Census: Newest arrivals fan out. USA Today, pp. A1, A4.
8.
Erikson, E.H. (1963). Childhood and society. New York: Norton.
9.
Lucas, T., Wendorf, C., Imamoglu, E., Shen, J., Parkhill, M., Weisfeld, C., et al. (2004). Marital satisfaction in four cultures as a function of homogamy, male dominance and female attractiveness. Sexualities, Evolution and Gender, 6, 97-130.
10.
Miller, S., Nummally, E., & Wackman, D. (1986). Couple communication I: Talking together. Littleton, CO: Interpersonal Communication Programs .
11.
National Statistics Offices. (2003). Labor force survey. Lascaris, Malta: Author.
12.
Proulx, A. (1997). Brokeback mountain. New York : Scribner.
13.
Rodriquez, L. (2006, August 16). Houston's Hispanics at opposite ends of the age spectrum. Houston Chronicle, pp. A1, A4.
14.
Rose, J., & Urshel, J. (2006). Understanding the complexity of love in Broke Back Mountain. The Journal of Men'sStudies, 14(2), 247-251.
15.
Satir, V. (1972). Peoplemaking. Palo Alto, CA : Science and Behavior Books.
16.
Sue, D.W., & Sue, D. (2003). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.
17.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2006). Retrieved November 25, 2006 from http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/
18.
Watts, R.E., & Pietrzak, D. (2000). Adlerian “encouragement” and the therapeutic process of solution-focused brief therapy. Journal of Counseling & Development, 78(3), 442-445.
