Distinguished scholars reported to the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center (NHMRC) on new working papers or recently published research that they believe has significance to the field of marriage and relationship education. Because the field of marriage education draws from a variety of disciplines, there is no single source easilyidentified as the resource for the advancement of the field. For this reason, psychology, sociology, economics and public policy inform this Snapshot. The approach to this report included a review of unpublished papers recently presented at two national research conferences and an account of four newly published studies conducted for a public policy audience.

Highly-regarded academics in these fields were selected to author this inaugural project: Paul Amato, Ph.D., Frank Fincham, Ph.D., Alan Hawkins, Ph.D., and Galena KlineRhoades, Ph.D. Collectively they have expertise in psychology, sociology, economics and public policy, and an interest in and familiarity with the field of marriage education (see Appendix Afor authors? brief bios). In addition they actively participate in Research Advisory Groups that provide advice and guidance to healthy marriage initiatives in Texas, Oklahoma and Utah.

The two conferences drawn on to inform the Snapshot were held in 2008 and included the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and the European Network for the Sociological and Demographic Study of Divorce (see Appendix B). In addition a review wasconducted of the following policy-related publications “Twogether in Texas: Baseline Report on Marriage in the Lone Star State,” “The State of California’s Unions: Marriage and Divorce in the Golden State,” “Implementation of the Building Strong Families Program,” and “The Taxpayer Costs of Divorce” (see Appendix C).

This paper is not intended to be a comprehensive review of current research. It does, however, provide a snapshot of some important emerging themes and research findingsthat will likely impact how marriage education is developed and delivered. The views and opinions expressed in this report are the authors alone and do not representthe views of the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center or those of the Administration of Children and Families. (Author abstract)