In a shocking incident, newly wed Sonam Raghuvanshi allegedly murdered her husband Raja Raghuvanshi from Indore just days after their wedding, during what was supposed to be their honeymoon. Such horrific incidents have sent shockwaves across the country. They raise pertinent questions about the risks of marrying ‘strangers’ without sufficient pre-marital awareness. There are also questions about whether more rigorous psychological checks could prevent such tragedies.
Psychometric evaluations, which measure personality traits, aggression potential, emotional stability and impulsiveness, can offer valuable pre-marital insights.
These incidents of honeymoon murders underline psychological risks that conventional matchmaking, based on family background, income, and horoscope, can’t detect. It’s not about whether the marriage is arranged or by love. Psychopathic traits like thrill-seeking violence, absence of empathy, lack of guilt — remain hidden beneath superficial charm. A person may appear ideal during initial meetings. Yet, they may have traits that surface only in vulnerable, high-stress situations like troubled marriages.
PSYCHOLOGICAL RISKS
Much like thalassemia or HIV tests, psychometric evaluation could become a responsible step before marriage. In more advanced countries, functional brain imaging like fMRI or PET scans reveal abnormalities in brain areas. These areas control impulse and judgment. These abnormalities are predictors of dangerous behaviour. Pre-marital tests may also help identify psychological predictors in individuals.
However, such suggestions are not without complexity or controversy. I strongly recommend pre-marital counselling, which is a less intrusive, more holistic process,
While this idea holds merit, the practical application comes with challenges. A psychometric test is not like a blood test. Results can be manipulated, influenced by mood, recent trauma or stress. For example, a person going through temporary distress may score abnormally. However, that result does not define them for life. Pre-marital factors, however, can make healthier marriages.
As society evolves, so must its approach to marriage. Psychometric assessments — if used — must be applied sensitively, as a tool for insight, not as a final verdict.
Couples should ideally begin such counselling at least two months before the wedding to allow for multiple sessions. Pre-marital counseling can offer couples needed time to reflect, digest and return with deeper insights or doubts. It’s not about imposing or policing relationships, but building self and mutual awareness.
FAMILY COUNSELLING
Family counselling is needed in cases where parents pressurise reluctant young adults into marriage. Past trauma, body image issues, or sexual orientation fears may lead some to avoid marriage altogether. Parents, too, need clarity — why they insist, what fears drive them. Marriage, ideally involving pre-marital counselling, should never be about compulsion, but understanding.
Whether love or arranged, the risk of unseen personality disorders cannot be ignored. But psychometric assessments — if used — must be applied sensitively, as a tool for insight, not as a final verdict. Incorporating pre-marital evaluations thoughtfully may help in mitigating some of these risks.
Marriage is a lifelong partnership, not a gamble. We need to make it safer and wiser— using pre-marital counseling wisely — not scarier.
(Dr Naresh Purohit is advisor- National Mental Health Programme. The views expressed are that of the author )
