Relationship Enrichment Program Research Articles

The Effectiveness of Preventation and Relationship Enrichment Program (PREP) on Marital Conflicts and Sexual Satisfaction in Couples

The Effectiveness of Preventation and Relationship Enrichment Program (PREP) on Marital Conflicts and Sexual Satisfaction in Couples

Social integration buffers the impact of financial distress on coparenting.

The authors of this study examined how families may pull upon their shared social networks to generate positive relationship dynamics in the midst of financial distress. Prior research regarding the relevance of social integration to the associations between financial distress and the coparenting relationship have produced mixed and limited results. This study explores how each partner's belief that the couple is integrated within a supportive social network interacts with the strain of financial hardship to influence the coparenting relationship. The authors test whether social integration constitutes a capability for bonadaptation. Data for the present study were collected from 247 couples referred to a community-based, relationship enrichment program who were parents (or pregnant) and had received supportive social services within the last year. The authors estimated an actor-partner interdependence model examining the association between financial distress and each participant's report of their partner's supportive coparenting, as well as the moderating effects of perceived social integration upon this association. The association between financial distress (from either partner) and maternal reports of paternal coparenting support were buffered by mothers' perception of couple social integration. Fathers' perceptions of social integration buffered the association between maternal financial distress and his perception of his partner's coparenting support. The findings highlight the critical role of external support systems (e.g., friends and family) in buffering the effects of financial distress on the coparenting relationship for a diverse, low-income population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Effectiveness of Relationship Enrichment Program (REP) on Sexual Dysfunction and Satisfaction of Females with Multiple Sclerosis-An Educational Study

Aims: Improving sexual function in women with disability such as multiple sclerosis was aimed. Background: Sexual dysfunction and the consequent low satisfaction is very common in females with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Relationship Enhancement Therapy (REP) on sexual function and satisfaction of females with MS. Methods: The present study was an educational design with two groups, in which 44 females with MS participated and their spouses (N= 88) participated and randomly divided in two groups of intervention (N= 22 couples) and control (N= 22 couples). They signed written consent forms and were included in the project. The intervention group received the REP in six 90-minute sessions. The groups completed standard questionnaires of sexual dysfunction and sexual satisfaction in three stages of pretest-posttest and 3 months later. The Descriptive and inferential statistics (Twoway repeated measures ANOVA, chi-square, t-test and Mann-Whitney U test) were used to analyze data. Results: The results of analysis showed that there was a clinically significant difference between the scores of sexual dysfunction in different phases of the assessment between two groups (p <0.05). Also sexual satisfaction was higher in the intervention group vs. in the control (p <0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings, marital enrichment program was effective in improvement of sexual function and sexual satisfaction of females with multiple sclerosis. It is recommended to healthcare providers to use enrichment alongside medical services to improve patients' sexual life.

The effectiveness of relationship enrichment program training in reducing latent communication aggression and increasing relationship maintenance strategies

The effectiveness of relationship enrichment program training in reducing latent communication aggression and increasing relationship maintenance strategies

The effects of relationship enrichment counseling on marital satisfaction among infertile couples with a history of domestic violence

Context: One method for improving marital satisfaction is to educate relationship enrichment programs to couples.Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of relationship enrichment counseling on the marital satisfaction among infertile couples with a history of domestic violence.Setting and Design: This study was conducted in Imam Khomeini Hospital of Sari city in 2015.Materials and Methods: This was a semiexperimental study with pre and postintervention measurements. The study was conducted in two intervention and control groups consisting of 44 infertile couples referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital of Sari city in 2015.Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS 20 software was used for data analysis applying descriptive and inferential statistics (repeatedmeasures oneway ANOVA and twoway ANOVA).Results: The means of marital satisfaction scores were obtained as 3.4 ± 0.36, 3.71 ± 0.4, and 3.87 ± 0.28 in intervention and 3.44 ± 0.47, 2.56 ± 0.3, and 2.52 ± 0.33 in control groups at pretest, immediate posttest, and 2 months after the intervention, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean score of quality of life between the two intervention and control groups at pre and postintervention (P = 0.75). As evidenced by the repeatedmeasures ANOVA test, the relationship enrichment program was effective in boosting marital satisfaction score among infertile couples (P = 0.001).Conclusions: The enrichment program was effective in improving marital satisfaction and its all domains among infertile couples with a history of domestic violence.

Impact on interpersonal relationships among patients with multiple sclerosis and their partners.

Aim:To determine how the diagnosis and symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) impact interpersonal relationships.Participants & methods:Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 1010 individuals with MS responding to an online survey; responses were compared with results of a fibromyalgia survey.Results:MS participants had few negative perceptions of relationships with romantic partners/children/close friends but described the impact of fatigue and limited mobility as feelings of being not well understood by others, burdensome and isolated.Conclusion:Despite increasing disability/pain severity, most patients with MS reported high satisfaction levels and few negative perceptions of relationships with romantic partners/children/close friends. Future research should focus on identifying effective coping strategies used by satisfied couples and improving access to high-quality relationship-enrichment programs.

Effect of a Couples’ Relationship Enrichment Program on the Couple Burnout from the Perspective of Spouses of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Effect of a Couples’ Relationship Enrichment Program on the Couple Burnout from the Perspective of Spouses of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Electrodermal Activity, Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia, and Heart Rate Variability in a Relationship Enrichment Program

The aim of the study was to investigate whether simple guided mindfulness practices in a relationship enrichment program would lead spouses to experience physiological relaxation. Skin conductance and cardiac activity were recorded from ten healthy couples (N = 20 clients) twice during 90-min relationship enrichment sessions. To assess the usefulness of mindfulness exercises for couple therapy practices, different types of phases in a semi-structured setting were applied in the sessions: (i) phases evoking positive valence, (ii) challenging phases inducing stress, and (iii) mindfulness phases inducing relaxation. It was found that the spouses showed significant physiological relaxation, marked by decreases in skin conductance and increases in respiratory sinus arrhythmia, only during the mindfulness periods. However, the effects of mindfulness were not long-lasting, since the autonomic nervous system activity of most of the participants returned to baseline values soon after the exercises. No differences were observed between the cognitive and body-oriented mindfulness exercises in the amount of physiological relaxation.

Effect of Marital Relationship Enrichment Program on Marital Satisfaction, Marital Intimacy, and Sexual Satisfaction of Infertile Couples.

Infertile couples only think of having children during their sexual intercourse, and their constant concern about this issue increases their stress level. Psychosocial and social stress leads to decreased life satisfaction, increased marital problems, and reduced sexual confidence. This study aims to determine the effect of enrichment program on marital and sexual satisfaction as well as marital intimacy among infertile couples. This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 50 infertile couples in 2013 in Hamedan. The marital relationship enrichment program was taught to the experimental group during seven 90 minutes sessions. Enrich marital satisfaction, Linda Berg sexual satisfaction, and marital intimacy questionnaires were completed by both groups in 3 pretest steps immediately after the end of training sessions, and 8 weeks later. The results were analyzed in STATA11 software using t test, Chi-square, ANCOVA, RM-ANOVA, and Bonferroni post-hoc test. To check the data normality, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used. P<0.05 was considered significant. Comparison of mean scores related to pretest on the one hand and immediately after the test in 8 week later on the other hand showed marital relationship enrichment program significantly increased marital and sexual satisfaction (P<0.001). Also, mean score of marital intimacy immediately after the test (P=0.04) and 8 weeks after the test (P<0.001) significantly increased in comparison with the pretest under the influence of the program. Enrichment training can increase marital intimacy and also marital and sexual satisfaction in infertile couples (Registration Number: IRCT201604299014N97).

Effect of a Couples' Relationship Enrichment Program on the Quality of Marital Relationships from the Perspective of Spouses of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

ABSTRACTA relationship enrichment program involves family therapy with psychosocial training to improve relationship skills. This study was conducted to determine the effect of a couples' relationship enrichment program on marital relationship quality. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2016 with 80 spouses of patients, all members of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center in Zahedan, Iran. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention and a control group, each of which comprised 40 participants. The Perceived Relationship Quality Components questionnaire was used to collect the required data. After five-session couples' relationship enrichment program, the mean total marital relationship quality score and all the subscale scores except the love subscale score in the intervention group were significantly greater than those in the control group. Application of the program is recommended to increase the quality of marital relationships for spouses of patients with MS, as they are the most important sources of support for patients with MS.

“Hold Me Tight”: The Generalizability of an Attachment-Based Group Intervention to Chinese Canadian Couples

ABSTRACT“Hold Me Tight” (HMT) groups are an adaptation of emotionally focused therapy (EFT) for couples and have emerged out of 30 years of research into the efficacy and process of EFT. The goal of this study was to test the effects of a Chinese-language version of the HMT relationship enrichment program in a sample of Chinese Canadians. Twenty-three men and 23 women (N = 46) in committed couple relationships completed an HMT relationship education program with their partners in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Results indicated statistically significant improvements in participants' satisfaction with their attachment relationships, in their attachment security, and in their family functioning. The implications of these findings are discussed in light of relevant cross-cultural literature on attachment and couple relationships.

다문화가정 부부의 의사소통 및 관계 증진 프로그램 개발

본 연구는 다문화가정 부부의 특별한 개별적 요구에 기반을 둔 부부 의사소통 및 관계증진 프로그램을 개발하고 적용 효과를 살피는 데 그 목적을 두었다. 본 프로그램은 기존 프로그램 및 선행연구 검토와 참여자의 요구조사, 전문가 면담의 과정을 통해 개발되었고, 4쌍의 다문화가정 부부에게 11주간(주 1회, 회당 120분) 부부 대화기법, 부부 상담을 활용한 부부의사소통 중재 프로그램으로 적용되었다. 프로그램이 실행되는 동안 수집된 녹음파일, 활동지, 연구자의 현장노트 등의 질적자료를 통해 살펴본 프로그램의 효과는 다음과 같다. (1) 다문화가정 부부의 친밀성이 향상되었고, (2) 부부간의 대화가 증가되었으며, (3) 특히 부부간의 의사소통 방식은 "역기능적 의사소통"에서 "협력적인 의사소통"으로 변화되었다. 결론적으로 이러한 변화가 부부관계 증진에 긍정적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구에서 개발한 부부 의사소통 프로그램은 다문화가정 부부대화의 물꼬를 열었다는 점과 부부갈등을 해결하고 관리하기 위해 의사소통 전략과 전문적인 상담지원을 하였다는 점에서 의의를 가진다. This study aims to develop and apply communication and relationship enrichment programs for married multicultural couples and verify its effects. This preliminary program was developed based on results from reviews of existing intervention programs, participants' interview for their needs and professionals' feedback on program. The program includes 11 sessions(once a week; 2 hours per session) focusing on communication strategies and related activities using marital counseling. Four multicultural couples participated in the intervention program. Qualitative data was collected during the program, including voice recording files, activity sheets, and filed notes conducted by researchers. Based on the results from the data analysis, we could find the intervention program had an positive effect on the communication between multicultural couples. Specifically, the intervention program could (1) enhanced intimacy in the couples, (2) started conversation and improved communication patterns between the couples. And also (3) modes of communication were changed to more collaborative communication through this program. The marital communication program developed in this study is significant in that it played a catalytic role for marital conversation in multicultural couples and used professional counseling techniques and strategies in solving and managing marital conflict.

The effects of premarital relationship enrichment programs on marriage strength: A narrative review article

Background and Purpose: Strengthening marriage relationship includes a body of programs focusing on boosting the couples' common understanding, honesty, trust, empathy and coordination. Premarital consultation along with the couples' relationship enrichment can result in their improved relationship. The current study aims to analyze the studies conducted on consultation programs for marriage relationship enrichment and marriage strength. Methods: The current study is a narrative review performed using key words related to advanced search in database like Pubmed, Google Scholar, Web of Sciences, Magiran, Iran Medex and SID in the past 20 years. After recovering 57 papers, 10 Persian ones along with 25 English papers directly related to this issue and cited by famous authors many times have been given in the paper's results. Results: The findings show that premarital consultation through promoting life skills, familiarity with spouse selection criteria and paving the ground for accepting gender role in marriage can be considered as one of the critical components of strengthening marriage. Conclusion: Premarital consultation helps human beings to improve their relationship by knowing themselves and their would-be partner, clarifying their expectations from each other, promoting problem solving and getting aware of compatible and incompatible characteristics before marriage. By considering the population policy of Iran and in order to meeting favorite relationship between newly wedding couples, it's suggested to provide suitable premarital counseling packages according to Iranian socio-cultural context.

The effects of premarital relationship enrichment programs on marriage strength: A narrative review article

Background and Purpose: Strengthening marriage relationship includes a body of programs focusing on boosting the couples' common understanding, honesty, trust, empathy and coordination. Premarital consultation along with the couples' relationship enrichment can result in their improved relationship. The current study aims to analyze the studies conducted on consultation programs for marriage relationship enrichment and marriage strength. Methods: The current study is a narrative review performed using key words related to advanced search in database like Pubmed, Google Scholar, Web of Sciences, Magiran, Iran Medex and SID in the past 20 years. After recovering 57 papers, 10 Persian ones along with 25 English papers directly related to this issue and cited by famous authors many times have been given in the paper's results. Results: The findings show that premarital consultation through promoting life skills, familiarity with spouse selection criteria and paving the ground for accepting gender role in marriage can be considered as one of the critical components of strengthening marriage. Conclusion: Premarital consultation helps human beings to improve their relationship by knowing themselves and their would-be partner, clarifying their expectations from each other, promoting problem solving and getting aware of compatible and incompatible characteristics before marriage. By considering the population policy of Iran and in order to meeting favorite relationship between newly wedding couples, it's suggested to provide suitable premarital counseling packages according to Iranian socio-cultural context.

Effectiveness of a Relationship Enrichment Program for Couples Living with Multiple Sclerosis

Living with a chronic illness such as multiple sclerosis (MS) has significant psychosocial ramifications. In particular, the patient's relationship with a spouse or significant other is often negatively affected. Programs are needed to address the psychosocial challenges of the illness and help improve outcomes for both the person with MS and his or her romantic support partner. Relationship Matters (RM) is a relationship enrichment program that integrates information and resources of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society with empirically based marriage education. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the RM program in increasing relationship satisfaction and aspects of health-related quality of life in couples living with MS over a 3-month follow-up period. Couples were given 8 hours of programming via in-person workshops disseminated across the country or teleconferences. A control group consisting of members of MS couples who did not receive the intervention was used for comparison. The results indicate that RM significantly improved relationship satisfaction over time compared with no intervention (P < .05). Additional findings include significant improvements in mental health-related quality of life as well as reported improvements in communication, conflict resolution, and ability to handle MS-specific relationship issues. Overall, these findings show that RM results in improved couple functioning and additional psychological health benefits for individuals with MS and their romantic support partners.

Effects of a Marital Relationship Enrichment Program on Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Marital Satisfaction in Multicultural Couples

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the effects of a marital relationship enrichment program on communication, conflict resolution and marital satisfaction in multicultural couples. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pre-post test design was used. Participants were sampled from couples registered at 2 local centers and 2 multicultural family support centers in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Sixteen pairs each were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group received the marital relationship enrichment program for 120 minutes/session/week for 6 weeks. Data were analyzed using x-test, Fisher’s exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and t-test for subject homogeneity verification, and ANCOVA to examine the hypotheses. Results: Communication and marital satisfaction increased significantly after the program in experimental group compared with control group. Among conflict solution styles, collaborating and compromising increased and avoiding decreased significantly after the program in the experimental group. Competing decreased significantly after the program for wives in the experimental group. Accommodating did not change significantly in either experimental or control groups. Conclusion: Results of the study confirm that marital relationship enrichment programs are effective in promoting multicultural couples’ communication and marital satisfaction, and causing positive changes in conflict resolution.

Developing and Evaluating an ENRICH-based Relationship Enrichment Program for Newly Married Couples

Developing and Evaluating an ENRICH-based Relationship Enrichment Program for Newly Married Couples

Strategic hope-focused relationship-enrichment counseling with individual couples.

Strategic hope-focused relationship enrichment is a brief, eclectic, research-based program to enhance couples' relationships. Couples (N = 51; 16 married, 24 cohabiting, 11 engaged) completed 5 sessions of enrichment counseling (n - 26) or 3 written assessments (n = 25) from 1 of 12 counselors. Couples receiving enrichment counseling had higher relationship satisfaction and quality-of-couple skills at posttest and at the 3-week follow-up than did written-assessment-only (control) couples. Conditions did not differ in terms of quality of overall attraction or 2 measures of commitment. We concluded that relationship enrichment using this program was effective, powerful, and cost-effective. Future research should focus on testing the effectiveness of the program presented in a group format. Couples often seek assistance from counseling psychologists to enrich their relationships, and these psychologists must not only intervene effectively but cost-effectively as well. Many relationship-enrichment programs have been proposed (for reviews, see Alexander, Holtzworth-Munroe, & Jameson, 1994; Guerney & Maxson, 1990; Zimpfer, 1988), and in most of these programs, couples meet in groups to discuss prescribed topics (e.g., the Association of Couples for Marriage Enrichment [ACME], Mace & Mace, 1984; Marriage Encounter, Calvo, 1975) or to learn and

Can couples assessment and feedback improve relationships? Assessment as a brief relationship enrichment procedure.

Many counseling psychologists provide marital assistance to couples who have relationship problems and those who seek to enrich their relationships. The authors investigated the effects of individualized relationship assessment and feedback in relation to merely completing written questionnaires about the relationships on couples' satisfaction and commitment. Student couples (N = 48; 26 married. 15 cohabiting, 7 engaged) participated either in (a) 3 sessions of assessment feedback (n = 28) or (b) written assessment only (n = 20). Assessment-feedback couples improved more over time than did written-assessment-only couples. The authors concluded that assessment and feedback produce small positive changes in already well-functioning relationships. Those changes may account for a substantial proportion of the changes produced by relationship enrichment programs.