Presents guidelines for the evaluation of parent training programs. Guidelines emphasize that components of evaluation should occur before, during, and after implementation of any training program. Recommends that the content of programs and the training methods employed should be based on sound theoretical principles and on evidence of…

Assessed the efficacy of a training program to train lay volunteers to lead a Premarital Relationship Enhancement program. Assessments of couples trained by the leader-trainees showed significant pre- to posttesting gains in their self-assessed skill levels and confidence. Premarital couples and experts rated the leader-trainees very highly.…

After participating in a social skills program, the trained group showed decreases in social anxiety and fear of negative evaluation. Shyness should be dealt with by family life educators because of its implications regarding development of intimacy and dealing with conflict in a marital relationship. (Author/JAC)