The Impact of Relationship Education on the Couple Relationship: A Grounded Theory of Intentionality and Awareness

Keywords

Relationship education; couples; intentionality; awareness; qualitative grounded theory

Abstract

Research on relationship education (RE) programs generally shows their effectiveness, but it is important to understand what the mechanisms of change are, how they occur within programs, and what participants experience. The purpose of this study was to explore couples’ perceptions of the key components of their experience as participants of a Prep-based RE program. Research questions included: How do couples describe their experience of taking an 8-hour relationship education class? What elements had the biggest impact on their relationship? How has their relationship changed as a result of participation? Interview data from 39 married and cohabitating couples who participated in RE were analyzed using grounded theory methods. Six categories emerged from the analytic process, resulting in a model that provided explanatory detail of a typical RE program experience and its impact on the participants. These categories were: intentionality and awareness, context, relationship, workshop, impact (of RE), and couple interview. Couples described these categories as developing in a relatively chronological order, with Intentionality and Awareness being a central category that cut across the process and helped explain the impact of the program on the couple relationship. Implications for research, program development, and program facilitators providing RE are discussed.

Original Publication Citation

Joshua R. Novak, Jason B. Whiting, Matthew D. Brown & Steven M. Harris (2018): The Impact of Relationship Education on the Couple Relationship: A Grounded Theory of Intentionality and Awareness, Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, DOI: 10.1080/15332691.2017.1417939

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2018

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5020

Publisher

Routledge

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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