Who Benefits from Couple Relationship Education? Findings from the Largest German CRE Study. Issue 2 (3rd April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Job, Ann-Katrin; Baucom, Donald H.; Hahlweg, Kurt
• Is Part Of: Journal of couple & relationship therapy. Volume 16:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 101
• Publication Date: 2017-04-03
• Subjects: Preventative interventions -- Couple and Relationship Education (CRE) -- CRE program evaluation -- marriage and couple relationship education -- prevention approaches; Marital psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Couples therapy -- Periodicals; 616.891562
• DOI: 10.1080/15332691.2016.1178616
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1533-2691

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In evaluation studies on couple relationship enhancement (CRE) programs, researchers are encouraged to also investigate which couples benefit from program participation. The authors qualified 104 university students to offer an evidence-based CRE program. Up to a 15-month follow-up, the participating couples ( N = 234) reported a significant decrease in unsolved relationship conflicts. A 2-day-long intensive training led to better results compared with a weekly format regarding dropouts. Couples with lower pretest satisfaction ratings reported significant improvements over time, whereas couples with initial higher ratings reported no change or a deterioration. Further predictors were identified. The findings should be taken into account in future research.