Applying the Creating Lasting Family Connections Marriage Enhancement Program to Marriages Affected by Prison Reentry

Abstract

Divorce proportions are currently high in the US and they are even higher among those who are incarcerated with substance abuse problems. Although much research has examined marital interventions, only two studies have examined marital interventions with prison populations. There is some empirical evidence that incarcerated couples benefit from traditional marital therapy (O'Farrell and Fals-Stewart, 1999, Addictions: A comprehensive guidebook, New York, Oxford University Press). An adaptation of the evidence-based Creating Lasting Family Connections program was implemented with 144 married couples, where one spouse was incarcerated, in a southern state with particularly high divorce and incarceration proportions. Results suggested that married men exposed to the program had larger improvements in some relationship skills relative to a convenience sample of men not so exposed. Both husbands and wives exposed to the program exhibited similar and significant increases in relationship skills. The results were comparable to a Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program adaptation for inmates. The implications of the findings for prevention practitioners are discussed.

Individual‐Oriented Relationship Education: An Evaluation Study in Community‐Based Settings

“…Recent years have seen an increase in the publication of studies examining the impact of relationship education programs for low‐income couples (Hawkins & Fackrell, ; Markman & Rhoades, ), including those at‐risk for relationship distress and marital instability, or facing situations or hardships that are associated with family stressors. This body of work has examined couples‐based programs targeting unmarried, romantically involved new (or expecting) parents (Cox & Shirer, ; Owen, Quirk, Bergen, Inch, & France, ; Wood, McConnell, Moore, Clarkwest, & Hsueh, ); couples‐based relationship skills training for low‐income married (or expecting) parents (Hsueh et al., ); in‐home relationship‐based coaching for mostly low‐income, unwed couples who share a child (Wilde & Doherty, ); programs for low‐income single parents or at‐risk individuals implemented through public assistance or social service delivery (Antle et al., ; Sparks, ); and relationship education workshops with inmates (attending with or without partners) in prison settings (Einhorn et al., ) and after release from prison (Shamblen, Arnold, McKiernan, Collins, & Strader, ). While several studies report positive outcomes of relationship skills education programs targeting low‐income individuals, couples, and families (Antle et al., ; Cox & Shirer, ; Einhorn et al., ; Hawkins & Ooms, ; Hsueh et al., ; Owen et al., ; Shamblen et al., ), some with strong methodologies do not (Wood, Moore, Clarkwest, Killewald, & Monahan, ; Wood et al., ).…”

Thematic review of family therapy journals in 2013

“…) and a marriage enhancement programme for families affected by imprisonment (Shamblen et al . ). From these articles is clear that innovative systemic interventions have an important role to play in strengthening vulnerable families.…”

Relationship Education for Incarcerated Adults

“…T he growing incarceration rate in the United States has spurred a large body of research on the impact of incarceration on individuals, families, and children (e.g., Einhorn et al, 2008;Shamblen, Arnold, Mckiernan, Collins, & Strader, 2013). The rapid increase since the 1970s has led the United States into a time that many are deeming as "an era of mass incarceration" (e.g., Clear, 2007).…”