Relationships Quick Answers
Is there any evidence that premarital education can reduce the divorce rate or improve marriages?
It is not clear whether premarital education reduces the
divorce rate or improves marriages, but there is
evidence suggesting that premarital education can be
effective for some couples. One study found that there
were no differences in marital quality between
individuals who had taken premarital education and those
who had not. In contrast, a nationwide survey found that
adults who had participated in premarital counseling
were less likely than those who had not participated to
have thought about divorce. Also, several studies have
found that couples who have participated in the PREP
program (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement
Program), which is a widely used marriage education
program, have more positive communication and marital
satisfaction than couples who have not taken PREP.
Couples who have taken PREP are also less likely to
divorce than are couples who have not taken PREP, for up
to 5 years after the program. However, we don't know
whether marriage education actually causes couples to
have better marriages or whether it is couples with
better marriages who are more likely to participate in
marriage education.
Although it is not clear whether marriage education actually causes lower divorce rates or higher marital quality, it is evident that adults who participate in premarital education are very satisfied with the experience. In fact, one study found that 90% of couples who had taken premarital education classes said they would choose to do it again.
Source: Kim Leon, Ph.D., Former Human Development and Family Studies, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia
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Last update: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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