This article uses meta-analyses to determine the effectiveness of behavioral marital therapy (BMT) and premarital intervention (BPI) studies. The effect size for the 17 BMT studies was .95 and for the 7 BPI studies was .79, and these gains were generally maintained over time. Cross-cultural comparisons of BMT indicated equal benefits for couples in Europe […]

This longitudinal study identified factors of couples’ marital friendship in the beginning months of marriage that predicted stability versus decline in marital satisfaction over the transition to parenthood. Newlywed couples (N₆=₆130) were followed longitudinally for 6 years. 43 couples became parents, and 39 childless couples served as a control group. Couples were interviewed about the […]

Three marital enrichment programs were evaluated to determine their effectiveness with a newlywed population. Seventy-one couples were divided among three groups, and 28 couples were assigned to a control group. Results were mixed when treatment groups were combined and compared to the control group. While t-tests using change scores demonstrated significant differences on some important […]

This article explores the impact of divorce on children and a new book that promotes staying in a marriage for the sake of children. Findings from “”The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce”” (Wallerstein) are shared and indicate: children take a long-time to get over divorce; the most harmful effects tend to show up as the children […]

This paper reviews research findings that indicate the effectiveness of marriage education and urges the inclusion of President Bush’s marriage initiative in welfare reform legislation. Findings indicate: 29 peer-reviewed social science journal articles that integrate findings from over 100 separate evaluations provide ample evidence that marriage education, training, and counseling programs significantly strengthen marriage; one […]

This brief identifies factors that predict a satisfying marriage, including individual traits, couple traits, and personal and relationship contexts. It then discusses how couples can assess these factors in their relationships by using a comprehensive premarital assessment questionnaire (PAQs) and interpreting the results with their partner. Three PAQs are highlighted: Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding […]

Controlled studies evaluating the efficacy of behavioral marital therapy (BMT) have not shed light on the clinical significance of reported treatment effects, nor have proportions of improved clients been reported in a consistent or rigorous manner. Using a reliable change index to classify couples receiving BMT into categories of improved, unimproved, or deteriorated, and using […]

Focuses on the efforts of individuals, churches and parachurch organizations to help families. Marriage Enrichment and Marriage Encounter’s (ME) weekend growth retreats for married couples; Prison Fellowship’s worship services and Bible studies; secular organizations providing information and resources for blended families; premarital counseling programs; and Christian parent-education programs are a few of the types of […]

This article describes federally funded State strategies for promoting marriage and the expansion of such initiatives under proposed legislation by President Bush. A proposed requirement that States include explicit descriptions of their family-formation and healthy-marriage efforts in their welfare plans is also discussed, as well as controversy over the marriage promotion initiatives.