Marriage Preparation Programs Research Articles

Factors associated with marital readiness among Turkish young adults

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine common themes for marital readiness, to evaluate the generalization to broader samples consisting of single individuals, and to examine the factors associated with marital readiness.BackgroundReadiness for marriage is essential to the formation of a healthy marital union. Therefore, it is important to conceptualize marital readiness.MethodThis study was designed using the exploratory sequential design, a mixed‐methods research approach. This research was carried out with a total of 1523 (865 female, 658 male) unmarried Turkish young adults in three study groups. In the data analysis, thematic analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and regression analysis were used.ResultsSix themes were determined as the factors to which single young adults attach importance for marital readiness. These themes were financial readiness, emotional readiness, interpersonal relationship readiness, family life and family role readiness, sexual readiness, and social responsibility readiness.ConclusionThe Marital Readiness Scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool. The variables of age, ideal marital age, and the ideal amount of time needed to get to know a partner before marriage were revealed to be related to marital readiness.ImplicationsMental health professionals can benefit from the results of this research when designing marriage preparation programs.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection among Young Couples in the Verge of Marriage in Yazd, 2017

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common causes of parasitic infections in humans and other warm-blooded vertebrates that have worldwide spread. The purpose of this study was to determine the mean level of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG, IgM in young couples in the verge of marriage attending marriage preparation programs in Yazd Counseling Center, 2017.
 Methods: In this study, 200 couples, who referred to Yazd Health Center were randomly selected. Samples were taken from the statistical populations and the presence of Toxoplasmosis infection was investigated in them. Later, the results were evaluated with specific IgM and IgG antibody kits and the data were analyzed by SPSS 18 software.
 Results: Of a total of 200 Young Couples, 100 girls and 100 boys were studied, 25 girls (25%) showed positive results for IgG and 75 (75%) had negative results. In 6 boys (6%), IgM was positive and in 94 (94%) boys the results were negative. IgM was positive and negative in 4 (4%) and 96 (96%) girls, respectively. Regarding IgG, 12 (12%) and 88 (88%) girls showed positive and negative results, respectively. No significant relationship was found between hair loss (0.614), job (0.470), level of education (p = 0.488), blood group (p = 0.618), and p = 0.663.
 Conclusions: The prevalence of Toxoplasma infection is lower among young couples in the verge of marriage compared to similar studies. No significant relationship was observed in the main factors, such as keeping cats as pet; however, the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis infection was higher in people with lower education.

Premarital Education in the Catholic Church: Exploring Retrospective Perceptions of Effectiveness of a Theologically Oriented Program on Relational and Spiritual Outcomes

The effectiveness of a theology-focused marriage preparation program was tested for a group of Catholic couples (N=200). Each couple had been married for less than five years and participated in the same program. The program covered a variety of topics from communication enhancement to a Catholic theology of marriage, including marriage as a vocation and natural family planning. The study assessed the retrospective perceptions of change for relational and spiritual behaviors and attitudes, in light of these theological and relationship teachings. Couples reported increases in positive thinking about the relationship, deeper understanding of marriage as a vocation, and improved communication. However, the program produced less change in Mass attendance, and NFP practice. Results were moderated by cohabitation history, support of mentor couples and length of marriage. Views of marriage in terms of vocation and increased knowledge of NFP were indirectly linked to higher relationship satisfaction via improved communication.

Pastoral guidance for cohabiting couples – suggestions for the current Polish context

Premarital cohabitation in Poland, although still not as widespread and common as in many western countries, is becoming an attractive form of being in an intimate relationship for a growing number of young adults. This state of things – in spite of the recent, more welcoming attitude towards cohabiting couples introduced by Francis – is not fully recognised by the Polish Episcopate. The Church in Poland had to wait over two years to receive a general guideline for the application of Amoris Laetitia. Also, until now the Polish bishops have not been able to propose any systematic marriage preparation program (MP) or working document – which would offer principles on how to deal pastorally with cohabiting couples. In this article I specifically concentrate on the newest empirical research regarding the quality of cohabiting unions (prior to and after they transit to marriages) as well as on the new orientation towards those living in ‘irregular’ situations introduced by Francis. Based on these two perspectives, I make several suggestions on how to deal with the Polish cohabiting couples in the context of marriage preparation in a pastorally sensitive and at the same time effective and realistic manner.

A Review of Research-Based Interventions on Marriage Preparation

This review concentrates on three widely used marriage preparation inventories and a group of smaller, well-researched couple questionnaires used by an extensively researched marriage preparation program. The three inventories included are Facilitating Open Couples Communication Understanding and Study, Premarital Preparation and Relationship Enhancement, and Relationship Evaluation Questionnaire. The review describes the context in which the tools were developed, their similarities and differences and psychometric properties, and research regarding their relation to relationship outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the effect of using a pre-marriage inventory, alone or in conjunction with facilitated discussion and/or other marriage preparation activities, on long-term marital stability and satisfaction.

The Role of Guidance Programs in the Awareness of Planning for Marriage and Family Constructing "A Descriptive Analytical Study of Marital Preparation Programs and their Beneficiaries in Jeddah"

Marriage is a "life-long project" and projects require planning. This study aimed at knowing the role of Marriage Preparation Programs (MPP) in the awareness of marriage planning through: their content, their used means, and the time allocated for lectures and activities. In addition, the study aimed at knowing the point of view of the beneficiaries of these programs about what has been presented and some of their socio-demographic characteristics. The current study is a descriptive study that used two tools to collect field data: a questionnaire to describe and analyze the programs' content and personal interviews with the beneficiaries of these programs. Four MPP- provided by three centers in Jeddah - and seventy-two cases: 32 females and 40 males were chosen through purposive sampling. The major findings of this study can be generalized as followed: I. Marriage goals, sex education, and dialogue between spouses are the most provided subjects by MPP. II. Lectures are the mostly used means to deliver MPPs' content. III. Differences exist between MPPs in terms of allocated time. IV. The most important subjects to be covered by MPP, from the beneficiaries' point of view, are: spouses' rights and duties, dialogue between spouses, the goal of marriage, dealing with anger, sex education, organizing the family budget, and the transference to the marital house. Generally speaking, MPP role in the awareness of marriage planning and family constructing was found to be limited. The study recommended the following: make the results of this research available for MPP providers; do more research in the field of MPP; provide MPP only for the beneficiaries who intend to marry; and design different types of marriage/family education programs for: non-married, married spouses, fathers and mothers, divorced, and widowed beneficiaries.

The Development and Evaluation of a Gottman-Based Premarital Education Program: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate a marriage preparation program based on Gottman's theory of the Sound Marital House. Premarital activities were developed to correspond to each level of the Sound Marital House theory. A program involved five 2-hour sessions with six engaged couples. Each session was composed of activities for each individual couple and for the entire group. At the end of the educational intervention, the couples provided feedback on the program through semistructured interviews. The results of the summative evaluation indicated that the program provided participants with new perspectives, skills, and knowledge regarding their relationships.

Effect of sexual education on sexual health in Iran

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a special sex education program in sexual health on Iranian newly‐wed couples. A sample of 64 couples referred to three health centers of Tehran Medicine University, a few months prior to their marriage, were divided into case and control groups. The case group received three lecture sessions given by the researcher. These lectures consisted of different aspects of sexuality such as reproductive and sexual health, the sexuality response cycle and sexual communication. The control group received only the lectures that are presented normally in the marriage preparation program, based on family planning and personal health. Six months after the program, we assessed the sexual satisfaction, healthy behaviors and sexual health of the two groups. The results indicate that the sexual health in the case group is significantly improved compared with the control group.

Factors Associated With Involvement in Marriage Preparation Programs

Abstract: Little is known empirically about the characteristics of couples who do and do not participate in marriage preparation. This study assessed the individual, couple, family, and sociocultural context variables that distinguish couples who become involved in marriage preparation from those who do not, using a sample of 7,331 couples. The results showed that the individual characteristics of valuing marriage, being kind and considerate, and being mature, and the couple context factor of perceived relationship problems, predicted involvement. Implications for increasing attendance in marriage preparation interventions include maximizing efforts to reach the “likely‐to‐attend group,” as identified in our findings. With this base of support for the value of interventions, we can then look to the less‐likely‐to‐attend group, who will take more resources of time, energy, and money to get to attend.

Perceptions of Marriage Preparation among College-Educated Young Adults with Greater Family-Related Risks for Marital Disruption

This study assessed levels of motivation to participate in marriage preparation and whether the manner in which marriage preparation programs are produced, priced, placed, or promoted needs to differ for those at greater family-related risks for marital disruption, with a sample of 964 college students. Although respondents with greater risks reported equal or greater motivation to participate in marriage preparation, they also had less optimism about marriage for themselves, which, in turn, negatively affected their motivation. Respondents had similar patterns of preferences for particular elements of marriage preparation programs, regardless of marital risk factors. Those with greater risks, however, rated parents and ministers as lower quality marriage information sources and were less interested in attending programs recommended by parents or ministers, led by clergy, and held in a religious setting, but were less deterred from participating if the leaders had less than "ideal" characteristics, such as being divorced themselves.

Building Healthy Marriages through Early and Extended Outreach with Youth

This article presents a case for faith communities to strengthen efforts to build healthy marriages during teen years through an ecological approach using individual, social network, organizational and community strategies. Community-based marriage preparation programs for engaged couples are effective in reducing divorce and distress in the early years of marriage. Extending these commitment- and skill-training efforts into teen years and linking them to positive youth development programs might increase these benefits, especially for high-risk couples. In addition, faith communities are critical catalysts in fostering support and training networks, community policy and outreach that can promote more positive environments for marriages and families. This article presents a model and suggests strategies to support early and extended outreach to build healthy marriages.

Marriage Preparation Programs: A Literature Review

In the past two decades, the need for high-quality marriage preparation programs and better program evaluation has become more evident. This review tracks developments in programming, theory, and evaluation as a foundation for program improvements. Recommendations for programming and policy include reaching a wider variety of audiences with a greater diversity of educational tools. Recommendations for research include seeking better understanding of self-generated couple growth, applying laboratory-tested models to community settings, and exploring differential effects of formal and informal prevention strategies.

An empirical approach to designing marriage preparation programs

Individuals married 1-8 years were surveyed to assess their perceptions of the helpfulness of marriage preparation and specific aspects of their experience. Two thirds of the respondents perceived marriage preparation as a valuable experience, but the perceived value declined with the length of marriage. Aspects of marriage preparation rated most helpful included providing time for couples to learn about each other, using a team of providers, addressing the Five Cs (communication, commitment, conflict resolution, children and church), and having 8-9 sessions.

Improving practice in marriage preparation

Developments over the past 2 decades concerning research on marriage preparation programs are reviewed. Suggestions for designing effective programs are presented. Issues reviewed include assessing client needs, the timing and duration of programs, formats and methods, program content, provider characteristics, and promotion and marketing strategies.

Prevention of marital dysfunction: Behavioral approaches and beyond

Marital dysfunction is a significant problem in the U.S., with far-ranging effects on the mental health, physical health, and economic well-being of people who experience it. In addition, marital discord and divorce appear to have adverse effects on children. This review describes the historical roots of current prevention programs and critically reviews marriage preparation programs that have been examined in the peer-reviewed literature. The results of 13 studies suggest that behaviorally oriented, skills-based marriage preparation programs can lead to behavioral changes that may help prevent the emergence of marital dysfunction. Whereas there has been modest improvement in the methodology of the program evaluations, suggestions for continued improvements are made. Ways to enhance the effectiveness of marriage preparation programs using the principles of prevention are described.

Preparation for Remarriage

Consumers of remarriage and marriage preparation programs were surveyed to determine whether levels of satisfaction with program components differed. Remarriage preparation panici- nants rewrted simificantlv hieher satisfaction levels with the looic bf spiriiuality. couples with ;marrying women were significarhy more satisfied with opportunities to discuss the nature of their rela- tionship. Implications for remarriage preparation programs are con- sidered.

Racial and Gender Effects on Perceptions of Marriage Preparation Programs among College-Educated Young Adults

Perceptions of marriage preparation programs were assessed among Black and White college students. Blacks reported a greater need for marriage preparation than Whites. Findings suggest that marriage preparation programs will reach more Black young adults if they demand fewer hours and weeks and are located near home. Implications are discussed in terms of how a program might be produced, priced, and promoted and where it might be held to attract a larger, more diverse audience. The need for marriage preparation has been recognized by professionals for a long time (e.g., Foster, 1935). Studies of high school (Yarber, 1981) and college students (Martin & Martin, 1984; Silliman, Schumm, & Jurich, 1992) indicate a need for and interest in marriage preparation programs. There also is evidence that marriage preparation programs are effective (Guerney & Maxson, 1990); however, such programs are notoriously underattended. Olson (1983) estimated that only 30% of couples who marry have participated in even 1-2 hours of formal marriage preparation. One reason for low participation may be that client needs are not assessed when programs are developed (Schumm & Denton, 1979). Marketing emphasizes understanding the target audience of family life educational programs through empirical research, as a prelude to or concomitant with program development, in order to tailor the programs to the needs of the audience and, thus, facilitate their acceptance (Kotler & Bloom, 1984, cited in Levant, 1987). Some studies have been conducted to assess young adult perceptions of marriage preparation programs (Koval, Emery, & Wong, 1991; Koval, Wong, Emery, & Granoff, 1992; Silliman & Schumm, 1989; Silliman et al., 1992). However, previous research has not been guided by a marketing perspective and has been conducted with predominantly White samples. In addition, the influence of gender on perceptions of programs has not been systematically assessed. Comparing perceptions between groups might reveal a need to alter program structure and marketing strategies in order to attract larger segments of the target audience for marriage preparation programs. Using the of marketing (product, price, place, and promotion; Katz, 1988) as a conceptual guide, the current study assesses the influence of race (Black and White) and gender on young adults' perceptions of marriage preparation programs. The findings give developers and providers a thorough, consumer-based look at marriage preparation that is important to consider in the development and dissemination of programs. Specifically, the findings provide clues as to how a program might be developed, priced, and promoted, as well as where it might be held in order to attract more educated Black and White males and females. A Marketing Perspective and Prevention Programs Marketing research links the 4 Ps as the framework for data collection on quently based (Katz, 1988). Marketing research quantifies and qualifies the nature of client needs and monitors the effectiveness of the process of satisfthose needs. If clients' needs are not satisfied, revisions begin with the 4 Ps (Katz, 1988). Product is the total package of professional services that is delivered to the client. The quality of these services may be an important factor in the client's decision to participate in a program. Price, the fee charged for services rendered, is determined after examining several interacting factors, such as competitor pricing, objectives of the organization (profitability vs. market penetration), and capacity to supply services. Place describes the physical location where services are offered to users. Convenience for clients may be a key issue in attendance of programs. Promotion is the method of bringing awareness of the service to the service user. Promotional activities, including advertising and word of mouth, must sustain an image of propriety and respectability in order to expand services to a larger target audience (Katz, 1988). …

Marriage Preparation: Factors Associated with Consumer Satisfaction

A marriage preparation program was evaluated to determine overall consumer satisfaction with the program, satisfaction with specific content areas, and extent to which consumer characteristics affected satisfaction ratings. Results of a survey of 196 couples revealed high overall satisfaction levels, variability in satisfaction by content area, and differences in ratings by participant age and timing of participation. Implications for program structure are discussed.

Abstracts

Avery, A., Ridley, C, Leslie, L., and Milholland, T. Relationship Enhancement with Premarital Dyads: A Six‐Month Followup. American Journal of Family Therapy, 1980, 8, 3, 23–31.Bader, E., Microys, G., Sinclair, C, Willett, E. and Conway, B. Do Marriage Preparation Programs Really Work: A Canadian Experiment. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 1980, 6, 2, 171–179.Hof, L., Epstein, N., and Miller, W. Integrating Attitudinal and Behavioral Change in Marital Enrichment. Family Relations, 1980, 29, 241–248.L'Abate, L. Screening Couples for Marital Enrichment Programs. American Journal of Family Therapy, 1980, 8, 3, 74–77.Nelson, R. C. and Friest, W. P. Marital Enrichment through Choice Awareness. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 1980, 6, 4, 399–407.Wagner, V, Weeks, G. and L'Abate, L. Enrichment and Written Message with Couples. American Journal of Family Therapy, 1980, 8, 3, 36–45.Wampler, K. S., and Sprenkle, D. H., The Minnesota Couple Communication Program: A Follow‐Up Study, Journal of Marriage and the Family, August, 1980, 42, 3, 577–584.

Do Marriage Preparation Programs Really Work?: A Canadian Experiment*

This paper reports on the development, implementation, and evaluation of an innovative marriage preparation program. The program used a small discussion‐group format, had pre‐ and post‐wedding sessions, and emphasized the importance of communication patterns and conflict resolution. It was hypothesized (1) that spouses who took part in such a program would be less likely to engage in destructive conflict with each other than those who had not taken part; and, (2) that spouses who took part in the program would seek assistance in solving either individual or marital problems more readily than those who did not take part. The data supported both hypotheses.