The Impact Report: Research on the Impact of Relationship and Marriage Education Programs in California is a ground-breaking,  cross-site, cross-program study on the impact of Relationship and Marriage Education (RME). Based off of the findings from Healthy Relationships California conducting five years of outcome evaluation of thousands of participants attending hundreds of RME classes throughout California, this is the largest study ever conducted on the impact RME courses have on participants in a range of categories including: relationship satisfaction, communication skills, and conflict resolution skills.

The report’s key findings include:

• Both men and women reported positive impacts from RME attendance, with nearly three-quarters (74%) of participants experiencing increases in problem-solving abilities.
• Both unmarried and married participants reported positive impacts from RME attendance, and over half (52%) of highly distressed married participants experienced a significant decrease in relationship distress.
• Across all income levels, participants experienced positive improvements after participating in RME, most notably in the lowest income bracket (under $15,000). Unmarried participants in this group increased their communication skills by 80%, while married participants from the lowest income bracket saw a 67% increase in these skills.
• Participants from all ethnic groups reported positive impacts from RME attendance, experiencing a 20% or greater increase in relationship satisfaction, communication skills, and problem-solving skills.
• The impact of RME on marital satisfaction endured, with 69% of participants satisfied with their marriage 6 months after the end of their RME course.

Download the report here from the Healthy Relationships California website.