Relationship Beliefs Patterns Among Relationship Education Participants at Different Venues

Abstract

ObjectiveTo identify different patterns of relationship beliefs, and examine how those patterns vary across participants attending classes through different venues: community, reemployment services, and jails.BackgroundAlthough there have been increased efforts to provide relationship education to underprivileged and underserved populations in diverse venues, there is little research on how the relationship education needs at different venues may vary.MethodFrom the perspective of relationship lay theory, the present study used latent class analysis to identify patterns, or classes, of relationship beliefs among participants in community settings (n = 1,144), reemployment services settings (n = 423), and jails (n = 242).ResultsFive classes of relationship beliefs emerged: Low Risk, Blind Love, Sliders, Blind Love Sliders, and Control Tolerates. Differences in class membership were observed across the three venues. Being single, having a history of divorce, and no prior relationship education were associated with membership in more risky classes.ConclusionDistinct patterns of risky relationship beliefs exist among participants in different venues of relationship education. The high prevalence of the Slider class and associated beliefs indicate those beliefs may be particularly prevalent across venues.ImplicationsThe findings point to educational needs of particular groups. For example, information on the issue of sliding is needed when teaching in any setting, but information on control tolerance and blind love sliding is particularly needed when teaching in jails, and to a lesser but still elevated degree in reemployment services.