Prevention of marital distress: Results of a German prospective longitudinal study.

Abstract

This article reports on the development and long-term evaluation of a marital distress prevention program for German couples, the Ein Partnerschaftliches Lernprogramm (EPL, A Couple's Learning Program). The EPL is a 6-session program designed to teach couples effective communication and problem-solving skills. In the current article, the EPL is evaluated in a prospective, quasi-experimental, controlled trial. The results of the 3-year follow-up are reported, contrasting 55 EPL couples with a control group of 17 couples. Significant diiferences emerged with regard to the couples' dissolution rates, relationship satisfaction, and positive and negative communication behavior favoring the EPL couples. These results demonstrate the utility of the EPL program in assisting happy couples who are preparing for marriage. The implications of the findings for prevention research and for the dissemination of prevention programs are discussed.As highlighted in a recent National Institute of Mental Health report on prevention, marital distress and destructive marital conflict (rather than divorce, per se) are major generic risk factors for many forms of dysfunction and

Effects of a Couple Communication Program on Marital Adjustment

“…[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] Earlier programs contain very similar approaches in their themes, such as active listening skills, [25][26][27]29,46 conflict resolution skills, 25-27,46,47 establishing empathy between spouses, 25,26,29,47 defining and strengthening the objectives of the marriage, 29,46,47 and sharing responsibilities. 29,46 However, our program differs from other improvement programs in that it focuses on improving many unique communication skills.…”

“…29,46 However, our program differs from other improvement programs in that it focuses on improving many unique communication skills. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]46,47 Some of these unique skills, not used in other programs, are the use of ego-strengthening language, anger management (sharing his/her anger with the spouse through body language and the use of humor and relaxation), and the use of "I" language. In addition, we used a variety of different techniques to modify spouses' behavior and employed a wide range of activities, including role play, discussion, demonstrations, sharing feelings with the group, group experiences, homework, behavioral modeling, behavioral negotiation, etc.…”

“…Most of the previous studies depended on post-test scores after group therapy to determine behavioral modification. 29,32,33,47 There are 2 studies in the field that extended the investigation over a longer period of time: L'Abate et al 25 administered the follow-up test 3 and 6 months after the program; Butler et al 27 administered follow-up tests 3, 6, and 12 months afterward. There seems to be consensus that 3 months should be an adequate period.…”

“…In designing the program the authors took an eclectic approach, referred to many sources, and took cultural factors into consideration. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] The program has an educative and time-limited structure based on group experience (behavioral modeling). The main aim of the program is to provide couples with basic communication and conflict resolution skills.…”

Can skills training prevent relationship problems in at-risk couples? Four-year effects of a behavioral relationship education program.

“…For example, the Minnesota Couples Communication Project (Miller, Nunnally & Wackman, 1975;Wampler & Sprenkle, 1980) Leslie, & Milholland, 1980;Ridley, Jorgensen, Morgan, & Avery, 1982), and the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP;Markman, Stanley, & Blumberg, 1994) all emphasize training couples in communication skills. This focus seems appropriate given that deficits in communication and conflict management prospectively predict relationship distress in newly married couples (Noller & Feeney, 1994;Karney & Bradbury, 1995;Markman, 1981;Markman & Hahlweg, 1993;Pasch & Bradbury, 1998).It has been shown that five to six sessions of relationship education with a skills-training focus reliably improve couple communication (Avery et al, 1980;Hahlweg, Markman, Thurmair, Engel, & Eckert, 1998;Markman, Floyd, Stanley, & Storaasli, 1988;Markman & Hahlweg, 1993;Miller et al, 1975;Renick, Blumberg, & Markman, 1992). These changes in communication are maintained for months or even years after completion of the education program (Hahlweg et al, 1998;Ridley et al, 1982;Stanley, Markman, St. Peters, & Leber, 1995).…”