Perceptions of Marriage Preparation Among College-Educated Young Adults With Greater Family-Related Risks for Marital Disruption

Keywords

marriage preparation perceptions; college students

Abstract

This study assessed levels of motivation to participate in marriage preparation and whether the manner in which marriage preparation programs are produced, priced, placed, or promoted needs to differ for those at greater family-related risks for marital disruption, with a sample of 964 college students. Although respondents with greater risks reported equal or greater motivation to participate in marriage preparation, they also had less optimism about marriage for themselves, which, in turn, negatively affected their motivation. Respondents had similar patterns of preferences for particular elements of marriage preparation programs, regardless of marital risk factors. Those with greater risks, however, rated parents and ministers as lower quality marriage information sources and were less interested in attending programs recommended by parents or ministers, led by clergy, and held in a religious setting, but were less deterred from participating if the leaders had less than “ideal” characteristics, such as being divorced themselves.

Original Publication Citation

Duncan, S. F., & Wood, M. M. (2003). Perceptions of marriage preparation among college-educated young adults with greater family-related risks for marital disruption. The Family Journal, 11, 342-352.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2003-10-01

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7536

Publisher

The Family Journal

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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