Making A Case for Premarital Education^*

Abstract

This article advances the argument that engaging in broadly applied premarital education efforts can reduce marital distress and divorce. Because of the complexity of design issues and difficulties inherent in outcome studies, researchers will reasonably continue to debate the effectiveness of premarital education regimens. Furthermore, there is a great deal more to be discovered that will guide prevention efforts in ways that will improve the effectiveness of those efforts in the future. Using a combination of rational argument and empirical findings, 4 key benefits of premarital education are discussed: (a) it can slow couples down to foster deliberation, (b) it sends a message that marriage matters, (c) it can help couples learn of options if they need help later, and (d) there is evidence that providing some couples with some types of premarital training, for example, the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), can lower their risks for subsequent marital distress or termination.

Los Programas Educativos para Parejas y Matrimonios: una nueva propuesta clínica para Chile

“…El objetivo de las intervenciones educativas, más que como se planteó en un comienzo -prevenir la ruptura marital o el divorcio-es reducir los factores de riesgo y su impacto negativo, de modo de incrementar la calidad de vida de los adultos y los niños, mediante acciones dirigidas hacia la sociedad y la pareja (Stanley, 2001). Así, los programas que proveen educación estructurada sobre las relaciones, actitudes y habilidades para las parejas, se han denominando educación para la relación de pareja (Halford, Markman, y Stanley, 2008;Halford, Markman, Kline, y Stanley, 2003).…”

“…Los programas educativos para parejas y matrimonios, dirigen sus esfuerzos hacia los factores de riesgo que son relativamente dinámicos y modificables (Stanley, 2001), como por ejemplo aprender modalidades saludables de resolución de conflicto o hacerse consciente de expectativas maritales poco realistas que guían las interacciones y son fuente de frustración.…”

Participant characteristics and outcomes of relationship education in the transition to parenthood

“…This applies to Norway as well, where the national authorities have been funding various RE measures over the last two decades. Such funding reflects a tradition within the Scandinavian countries to regard family welfare as a public responsibility rather than placing emphasis on private providers, as is often the case in the USA and the UK (Esping-Andersen, 1990;Kamerman, 1991;Kamerman & Kahn, 2001 (Renick, Blumberg, & Markman, 1992), which is considered to be the best documented RE program (Baucom, Hahlweg, Atkins, Engl, & Thurmaier, 2006;Renick et al, 1992;Schilling, Baucom, Burnett, Allen, & Ragland, 2003;Stanley, 2001). Good Couple Relationship involves an eight-hour workshop that normally is delivered in two sessions after the birth of a couple's baby.…”

The Challenges and Opportunities of Pre-Marriage Counselling in Hungary : A Flexible Model

“…Thus the program combines didactic-informative and skills development approaches. Contentwise it focuses on two important fields, the reduction of risks and the enhancement of protective factors (Stanley 2001;marKman et al 2010). The program has been used for thirty years in the USA and in fourteen other countries, and is continuously tested for its effectiveness.…”