This article outlines a solution-focused approach to premarital counseling. Solution-focused premarital counseling is a strength-based approach that focuses on a couple’s resources to develop a shared vision for the marriage. Background information about premarital counseling and solution-focused therapy provide the framework for the development of intervention strategies that are grounded in the solution-focused approach. Solution-oriented […]

In this brief, we use data from the first two waves of the National Survey of America’s Families (NSAF) to examine how living arrangements for families with children changed between 1997 and 1999. We find that the share of families composed of a single mother living independently declined; at the same time, the share of […]

The development of effective programs to prevent marital dysfunction has been a recent focus for marital researchers, but the effective dissemination of these programs to engaged couples has received relatively little attention. The purpose of this study is to determine which factors predict couples’ participation in premarital counseling. Predictive factors were derived from the health […]

This is a testimony to Congress by Maggie Gallagher given September 4, 2003. Ms. Gallagher reports that “”the current marriage crisis is intimately involved with how committed we are as a society to two key ideas: that children need mothers and fathers and that marriage is the main way that we create stable, loving mother-father […]

The need for empirical research that contributes to the prevention and arrest of marital distress is increasing. Factors identified through research as being influential in the stability of marriage include intimacy, positive behaviors, social support, good communication, and conflict management. Although a variety of marital enrichment programs that address these same factors do exist, this […]

This preliminary report provides an overview of the economic consequences of divorce for couples experiencing divorce in Utah. The economic impact on the divorcing individuals, the surrounding communities in which they live, and the state and federal governments were assessed. The data collected in Utah reveals that the federal government absorbs the most substantial costs, […]

Questions are answered in relationship to the Parrotts’ work in marriage education and in relationship to a variety of sociocultural factors concerning the condition and treatment of marriage issues in contemporary society. The Parrotts’ SYMBIS approach to pre-marital, neomarital and early marriage education is discussed. In addition, recommendations are made for marital interventions to local […]

Does divorce typically make adults happier than staying in an unhappy marriage? Many Americans assume so. This study represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first serious effort to investigate this assumption empirically. Using the National Survey of Families and Households (a nationally representative survey), we looked at all spouses (645 spouses out of […]

This article presents findings about problematic issues from a national study of couples married five years or less. It argues that the top 10 issues identified as problematic suggest key content areas for premarital education and makes suggestions for both program development and existing program evaluation. The top three issues reported by this sample are […]

The National Marriage Projects’s list of ten myths of divorce including social, emotional and financial consequences.