As evidence of the benefits of marriage preparation continues to mount, so does the importance of investigating the characteristics of the interventions that are most helpful and for whom. In a sample of 1,409 individuals, this study compares perceived helpfulness of four marriage preparation interventions: class, community/church sponsored…

Describes and evaluates five comprehensive premarital assessment questionnaires that can be used in high school, university, and church settings by family life educators and premarital counselors. Major premarital assessments reviewed vary in coverage of premarital factors, number of items, and cost. These factors must be considered by counselors…

Compared intimacy in first-married and remarried couples. Data gathered from 33 first-married and 33 remarried couples with the Waring Intimacy Questionnaire revealed no significant differences on total intimacy scores and seven subscale scores. Only conflict resolution was significantly lower among the remarrieds. (Author)

Reviews research on premarital factors associated with later marital quality and stability in first marriages. Three major categories of factors are described, including background and context, individual traits and behaviors, and couple interactional processes. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal research are summarized. Recommendations for…

Using Bowenian family systems theory, this study examines the effects of the intergenerational transmission of anxiety in the family of origin through the processes of fusion, triangulation, and control on late adolescents' attitudes toward marriage and readiness for marriage. Findings indicate that fusion and triangulation are related to negative…

Administered Marriage Quiz to 279 college students to measure their beliefs in myths about marriage and family relations. Found that women missed significantly fewer items than did men; less romantic students missed significantly fewer items than did romantic students; and students who completed marriage and family course missed significantly…

This study investigated the relationship of childhood sexual abuse to marital attitudes and perceived readiness for marriage in single young adult women. A total of 622 women from three universities in the United States completed questionnaires on sexual abuse, attitudes and feelings about marriage, and readiness for marriage. After controlling…

We evaluated 10 college marriage textbooks for their efficacy in teaching the premarital predictors of marital quality identified in the literature. They also were evaluated on their use of an integrative teaching approach that personalizes the content for readers and assists readers in learning, remembering, and using the information in their own…