An added benefit to using the LIMRI in premarital preparation and marriage enrichment is its ability to identify healthy relationship factors such as relational maturity.
Relational maturity denotes one’s ability or willingness to connect on both emotional and cognitive levels with their fiancé or spouse. There are twenty-one statements in the LIMRI that describe core behaviors and attitudes within engaged and married relationships that are relationally mature. There are twelve shared values statements within the twenty-one factors of relational maturity. Shared values allow couples to overcome relational crisis such as infidelity, financial loss, hidden debt, emotional affairs, loss of a child, etc…
The seven friendship statements of relational maturity describe attitudes and behaviors that promote compatibility or closeness between people who have made a commitment to each other. Friendship is an important factor of engaged and married relationships. These characteristics add excitement to engaged and married relationships. Couples often measure compatibility through the number of shared interests or activities that both of them enjoy doing together such as traveling, hiking, shopping, etc… The characteristics of shared valued and friendship are equally important to a vibrant relationship. However, couples are best served by their shared values because they are not dependent upon any outside factors; while compatibility can be lost through the loss of mobility due to injuries or healthy concerns, financial losses incurred through a downturn in the economy or changes in eating habits due to dietary needs, etc…
The abbreviated list of statements are used in measuring relational maturity: I am empathetic when my spouse… I balance work and home responsibilities…, I regularly use encouraging words while talking…, I am able to talk about things we disagree…, I am quick to forgive…, I repent quickly…, I express affection…, I express negative feelings…, I am a good listener…, I resolve conflicts…, I show affection…, I treat my spouse as…, I am prioritize my relationship…, I express tenderness…, I am patient…, I support dreams…, I am accountable…, I have Christian friendships…, I extend grace…