This study assessed the comparative effectiveness of the Relationship Enhancement Program (RE) and the Minnesota Couples Communication Program (CC). Couples in the treatment groups (RE‐26, CC‐20) received RE and CC training from certified leaders. Results at posttesting showed that RE was more effective in increasing marital communication (both behavioral and self‐report) and marital satisfaction than CC. A three‐month follow‐up showed that RE couples' outcome remained superior to CC couples'. Additional analyses revealed that couples' experiencing low marital satisfaction prior to training were best helped by the RE program.
The present and future utilization of paraprofessional manpower necessitates systematic training of such workers for their human service roles. The impact of a training program designed by Danish and Hauer for basic helping skills was evaluated. In particular, changes in the verbal responses used by human service workers in training were investigated. Using a rating system based on the training program's goals, helpers' responses in simulated helping interviews were categorized. Responses which summarized the helpee's statements and which focused on feelings increased significantly over training. Leading responses such as advice and closed questions decreased significantly. Helpers were found to talk less at posttesting. Similar results were found for two consecutive sets of trainees. Successful training can be accomplished with the Danish and Hauer program with minimal professional manpower.Changes in the structure of the delivery of mental health services have resulted in increased concern with training of paraprofessional human service workers in helping skills. This interest is a consequence of the "third revolution" in mental health service delivery (Hobbs, 1964) in which paraprofessional and nonprofessional workers predominate as the direct service providers. The increase in the numbers of paraprofessionals and nonprofessionals in various types of direct client contact (see Gartner, 1971;Grosser, Henry, & Kelly, 1969;Guerney, 1969;Sobey, 1970) has necessitated careful scrutiny of the actual "services" such workers provide. The many studies demonstrating the effectiveness of such workers in different settings (e.g., Beck,
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