Keywords

couple relationship education, flexible delivery, retention

Abstract

In this study, using a national recruitment strategy, we tested the different factors that influence retention in four different types of relationship education (RE), a self-directed book, assessment and feedback, and a six session Couple CARE program delivered by email or by phone. Of all the factors considered, required program effort, highly valuing marriage, religiosity, education, and step-family status were able to predict with seventy percent accuracy which couples would complete or not complete their RE experience. Program effort was substantially better at predicting retention than all other variables. Retention was high in the book and assessment conditions but was much lower in the two Couple CARE conditions where more effort and time was required. Initial engagement was higher in the email based Couple CARE condition but overall retention was higher in the phone based condition. Important implications for current and future RE efforts are proposed.

Original Publication Citation

Busby, D. M., Larson, J. F., Holman, T. B., & Halford, W. K. (2015). Flexible delivery approaches to couple relationship education: Predictors of initial engagement and retention of couples. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24, 3018-3029.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2015-01-04

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7430

Publisher

Journal of Child and Family Studies

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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