Research

In over 100 research studies, results show that marriage education programs work—to reduce strife, improve communication, increase parenting skills, increase stability, and enhance marital happiness.

“This research demonstrates that marriage programs are effective and makes the case that marriages can do more than merely survive: They can also thrive when couples learn the skills to make their relationship work.” --Executive Summary #1606, by Patrick F. Fagan, Robert W. Patterson & Robert E. Rector, The Heritage Foundation, 2002. heritage.org

And Online Education works!

“We didn't know online learning would be as rich and stimulating as it is…. What we have found is that (participants) often learn much better in an Online environment.”
--Kenneth Miller, President, Teacher Education Institute, 2004. http://www.teachereducation.com/about_tei.htm

"When you experience firsthand the surprising passion to learn and the depth of learning that takes place online, you must think about learning theory and how and why people learn. My past assumptions have been both shattered and reinforced. And I had some major new ideas emerge."
--Kenneth Miller, Private communication, 2005.

Important Marriage Education research studies include the following:

Avery, A.W., Ridley, C.A., Leslie, L.A., and Milholland, T. (1980). Relationship Enhancement with premarital dyads: A six-month follow-up. American Journal of Family Therapy, 8, 60-66.

Markman, H.J., Floyd, F.J., Stanley, S.M., & Storaasli, R.D. (1988). Prevention of marital distress; A longitudinal investigation. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56, 210-217.

Markman, H.J., Renick, M.J., Floyd, F., Stanley, S., & Clements, M. (1993). Preventing marital distress through communication and conflict management training: A four and five year follow-up. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62, 1-8.

Silliman, B., Stanley, S.M., Coffin, W., Markman, H.J., & Jordan, P.L. (2001). Preventive Interventions for Couples. In H. Liddle, D. Santisteban, R. Levant, and J. Bray (Eds.), Family Psychology: Science-Based Interventions (pp 123-146). Washington, D.C.: APA Publications.

Hahlweg, K., Markman, H.J., Thurmaier, F., Engl, J. & Eckert, V. (1998). Prevention of marital distress: Results of a German Prospective longitudinal study. Journal of Family Psychology, 12, 543-556.

Halford, K.W., Sanders, M.R., & Behrens, B.C. (2001). Can Skills Training Prevent Relationship Problems in At-Risk Couples? Four-Year-Effects of a Behavioral Relationship Education Program. Journal of Family Psychology, 15, 750-768.

Center for Marriage and Family (1995). Marriage preparation in the Catholic Church: Getting It Right. Omaha, NE: Center for Marriage and Family, University College, Creighton University.

Stanley, S.M., Markman, H.J., Prado, L.M., Olmos-Gallo, P.A., Tonelli, L., St. Peters, M., Leber, B.D., Bobulinski, M., Cordova, A., & Whitton, S. (2001). Community based premarital prevention: Clergy and lay leaders on the front lines. Family Relations, Vol. 50, No. 1, 67-76.

Giblin, P., Sprenkle, D.H., & Sheehan, R. (1985). Enrichment outcome research: A meta-analysis of premarital, marital, and family interventions. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 11(3), 257-271.

Miller, S., Wackman, D.B. & Nunnally, E.W. (1976). A communication-training program for couples. Social Casework, 57 (1), 9-18.

Miller, S., Wackman, D.B., & Nunnally, E.W. (1983). Couple communication: Equipping couples to be their own best problem solvers. The Counseling Psychology, 11, (3), 73-77.

Russell, C.S., Bagarozzi, D.A., Atilanao, R.B., & Morris, J.E. (1984). A comparison of two approaches to marital enrichment and conjugal skills training: Minnesota Couples Communication Program and structured behavior exchange contracting. American Journal of Family Therapy, 12, 13-25.

Wampler, K.S. (1990). An update of research on the Couple Communication Program. Family Science Review, 3(1), 21-40.

Cowan, C.P., & Cowan, P.A. (1992). When Partners Become Parents. New York: Basic.

Cowan, C.P., & Cowan, P.A. (1995). Interventions to ease the transition to parenthood: Why they are needed and what they can do. Family Relations, 44, 412-423.

Jordan, P.L. (1995). The mother’s role in promoting fathering behavior. In J.L. Shapiro, M.J. Diamond, & M. Greenberg, (Eds.), Becoming a Father: Contemporary, Social Developmental, and Clinical Perspectives. New York: Springer.

Accordino, M.P., & Guerney, B.G., Jr. (2001). The empirical validation of Relationship Enhancement® couple and family therapy. Chapter 13 in D.J. Cain & J. Seeman (Eds.), Humanistic Psychotherapies: Handbook of Research and Practice, (pp. 403-442). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.

Griffin, J.M., Jr., & Apostal, R.A. (1993). The influence of Relationship Enhancement training on differentiation of self. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 19(3), 267-272.

Guerney, B.G., Jr., Vogelsong, E., & Coufal, J. (1983). Relationship Enhancement versus a traditional treatment: Follow-up and booster effects. In D. Olson & B. Miller (Eds.)., Family Studies Review Yearbook Vol. 1. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications, 738-756.