1st Edition

Evidence-based Approaches to Relationship and Marriage Education

Edited By James J. Ponzetti, Jr. Copyright 2016
    394 Pages 10 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    372 Pages 10 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This is the first book to provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary overview of evidence-based relationship and marriage education (RME) programs. Readers are introduced to the best practices for designing, implementing, and evaluating effective RME programs to better prepare them to teach clients how to have healthy intimate relationships.  Noted contributors from various disciplines examine current programs and best practices, often by the original developers themselves. Readers learn to critically appraise approaches and design and implement effective, evidence-based programs in the future. Examples and discussion questions encourage readers to examine issues and apply what they have learned. The conceptual material in Parts I & II provides critical guidance for practitioners who wish to develop, implement, and evaluate RME programs in various settings.

    Chapters in Parts III & IV follow a consistent structure so readers can more easily compare programs-- program overview and history, theoretical foundations, needs assessment and target audience, program goals & objectives, curriculum issues, cultural Implications, evidence based research and evaluation, and additional resources. This book reflects what the editor has learned from teaching relationship development and family life education courses over the past decade and includes the key information that students need to become competent professionals.

    Highlights of the book’s coverage include:

    • Comprehensive summary of effective evidence-based RME training programs in one volume.
    • Prepares readers for professional practice as a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) by highlighting the fundamentals of developing RME programs.
    • Describes the challenges associated with RME program evaluation.

    The book opens with a historical overview of RME development. It is followed by 20 chapters divided in six parts. The initial four chapters focus on fundamentals of relationship and marriage education --program development, required training, delivery systems, and implementation. The three chapters in Part II consider important conceptual and theoretical frameworks used in RME. Part III considers best practices in inventory based programs while Part IV examines six skills-based programs. The chapters in Parts III and IV consider program overview and history, theoretical foundations, needs assessment and target audience, program goals and objectives, curriculum issues, cultural implications, evidence-based research & evaluation, and additional resources. This content covers four categories of effective programs -- design and content, relevance, delivery and implementation, and assessment and quality assurance. Part V presents evidence-based RME with diverse groups and Part VI reviews future directions.

    Intended for use in advanced undergraduate or graduate courses in relationship and marriage education, family life education, marriage and relationship counseling/therapy, intimate relationships, relationship development, or home/school/community services taught in human development and family studies, psychology, social work, sociology, religion, and more, this ground-breaking book also serves as a resource for practitioners, therapists, counselors, clergy members, and policy makers interested in evidence based RME programs and those seeking to become Certified Family Life Educators or preparing for a career in RME.

    Part 1. Fundamentals of Relationship and Marriage Education (RME) 1. The Evolution of Relationship and Marriage Education J.J. Ponzetti, Jr. 2. Relationship and Marriage Education Best Practices: Conceptual and Methodological Issues S.F. Duncan 3. Relationship and Marriage Education Program Design and Implementation T.G. Futris, J.K. Mallette, E.W. Richardson 4. Does it Work? Effectiveness Research on Relationship and Marriage Education A.J. Hawkins Part 2. Conceptual and Theoretical Frameworks 5. A Health Model for Relationship and Marriage Education A. Wiley, J. Bowers 6. Sound Relationship House Theory & Relationship and Marriage Education R.J. Navarra, J.M. Gottman, J.S. Gottman 7. Developing a Model for Relationship and Marriage Education: Efforts and Lessons from the U.S. Cooperative Extension H.W. Goddard, D.G. Schramm Part 3. Evidence-Based Practices in Inventory Based Programs 8. Discoveries About Couples from PREPARE-ENRICH A.K. Olson, D.H. Olson 9. FOCCUS & REFOCCUS: Preparing and Sustaining Couples for Marriage L. Williams 10. RELATE Assessment V.L. Loyer-Carlson Part 4. Evidence-Based Practices in Skills-based Programs 11. Relationship Enhancement Program and Mastering the Mysteries of Love R.F. Scuka 12. The Prevention and Relationship Education Program (PREP) for Individuals and Couples L.A. Tonelli, M. Pregulman, H.J. Markman 13. EPL and its Adaptations: Research and Implementation in Germany and Beyond A. Job, F. Thurmaier, J. Engl, K. Hahlweg 14. The Couples Coping Enhancement Training (CCET) G. Bodenmann 15. Relationship Attachment Model (RAM) programs: PICK and LINKS J.V. Epp, M.V.E. Cutlip 16. Youth-focused Relationship Education: Relationship Smarts PLUS and Love Notes M.E. Pearson, K. Reed Part 5. Evidence-Based RME and Diverse Groups 17. Relationship Education with Same-Sex Couples S.W. Whitton 18. Relationship and Marriage Education for Low-Income Couples: Strengthening Stressed Relationships S.E. Erickson, A.J. Hawkins 19. Relationship and Marriage Education with Remarried Couples & Stepfamilies B.J. Higginbotham, S. Goodey Part 6. Future Directions and Conclusion 20. Use of Web-Based Relationship and Marriage Education E.J. Georgia, L.N. Cicila, B.D. Doss 21. Evidence-Based Relationship and Marriage Education and Beyond J.J. Ponzetti, Jr.

    Biography

    James J. Ponzetti, Jr. is an Emeritus faculty member at the University of British Columbia, Canada.

    "This edited book provides the most comprehensive review of the marriage and relationship education field to date, written by many of the leading contributors to the field. An invaluable resource for practitioners and researchers alike." W. Kim Halford, University of Queensland, Australia

    "Incorporating the work of leading relationship and marriage educators (RME), this book provides the fundamentals of RME, along with conceptual approaches and evidenced-based practices to help educators design and implement effective programs. This book is an essential resource that makes an important contribution to family life education."  – Carol Darling, CFLE, Florida State University & University of Helsinki, Finland

    "This book signals the coming of age of Relationship and Marriage Education as it takes its place among evidence-based approaches to improving relational functioning.  The chapters cover the waterfront from brand name programs to newer ones, from traditional to web delivered programs, and from middle class to low income couples. This is a must-read book for academics, practitioners, and policy makers." William J. Doherty, University of Minnesota, USA

    "Marriage and relationship education ... is in desperate need for a unifying text that brings together the years of experience derived from the many successful programs across the country. ...This is a collection of the top people who have developed these types of programs. Their collective insight … makes a valuable … contribution. ... I can see this becoming a "must have" reference for any scholar interested in doing marriage or relationship education work."Brian J. Willoughby, Brigham Young University, USA

    "Having nearly a dozen of the most utilized marriage education programs throughout the world in one book is definitely a plus. ... Part I will also be an excellent source … for any upper UG or graduate course. ... As a family life educator, I can see the benefit of including this book on my office shelf, because it would include some of the premiere leaders in the field introducing/writing about their own programs."Alan C. Taylor, East Carolina University, USA

    "I would require the book for my course in Family Life Education ... [due to] the visibility and expertise of the contributors. ... The primary market would be graduate and undergraduate students in family life education and marriage/relationship courses ... [and] students on track to become CFLEs. ... I would [also] highly recommend it … [for] Marriage and Interpersonal Relationships. ... I don’t think there is any serious competition for this book, given its scope, structure, and list of contributors. ... I would definitely both buy it and adopt it."Cameron Lee, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA

    "The programs reviewed are exceptionally successful. This is very useful material. … I see this book as a primary textbook for classes on relationship education and as a secondary text for classes in family relationships … [or for] individuals working in the profession of relationship education."Robert Milardo, University of Maine, USA (Series Editor)

    "If the government continues to have a Healthy Marriage Initiative, I can see their grantees using this sourcebook. ... I see [the book] more for those professionals ... who are in the position to deliver relationship and marriage education." Charlotte Shoup Olsen, Kansas State University, USA