Changes in couple, parenting, and individual functioning following Family Expectations program participation. (24th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barton, Allen W.; Gong, Qiujie; Stanley, Scott M.; Rhoades, Galena K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of marital and family therapy. Volume 49:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 185
• Publication Date: 2022-09-24
• Subjects: couples -- family expectations -- marriage -- parenting -- program -- relationship education; Marriage counseling -- United States -- Periodicals; Family psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Family -- Periodicals; Family Therapy -- Periodicals; Marriage -- Periodicals; Gezinstherapie; Conseil conjugal -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Thérapie familiale -- Périodiques; 616.89156
• DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12613
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-472X

Abstract

Abstract: The current study investigated changes in couple, parenting, and individual functioning following participation in Family Expectations, a relationship and parenting education program for new or expectant parents. The sample comprised 339 couples who participated in most sessions of the Family Expectations program and completed assessments at three different time points over a 12‐month period. Study analyses examined: (a) change shortly following completion of the program, (b) associations between short‐term change and subsequent change in outcomes at 12‐month follow‐up, and (c) differences in short‐term change between married and unmarried couples. Significant improvements were observed in all three domains at short‐term follow‐up. Short‐term changes, particularly for psychological distress, were predictive of long‐term change in multiple domains. Few moderation effects by marital status were evident; those that appeared suggested stronger effects for married participants compared to unmarried. Study findings inform ongoing discussions into the utility of federally‐funded relationship and parenting programming.