Evidence-based Approaches to Relationship and Marriage Education

<p>This is the first book to provide a comprehensive multidisciplinary overview of <i>evidence-based</i> relationship and marriage education<i> </i>(RME)<i> </i>programs. Readers are introduced to the best practices for designing implementing and evaluating effective RME programs to better prepare them to teach clients how to have healthy intimate relationships. Noted contributors from various disciplines examine current programs and best practices often by the original developers themselves. Readers learn to critically appraise approaches and design and implement effective evidence-based programs in the future. Examples and discussion questions encourage readers to examine issues and apply what they have learned. The conceptual material in Parts I & II provides critical guidance for practitioners who wish to develop implement and evaluate RME programs in various settings.</p><p>Chapters in Parts III & IV follow a consistent structure so readers can more easily compare programs-- program overview and history theoretical foundations needs assessment and target audience program goals & objectives curriculum issues cultural Implications evidence based research and evaluation and additional resources. This book reflects what the editor has learned from teaching relationship development and family life education courses over the past decade and includes the key information that students need to become competent professionals. </p><p>Highlights of the book’s coverage include:</p><ul> <p> </p> <li>Comprehensive summary of effective <i>evidence-based</i> RME training programs in one volume.</li> <p> </p> <li>Prepares readers for professional practice as a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) by highlighting the fundamentals of developing RME programs.</li> <p> </p> <li>Describes the challenges associated with RME program evaluation.</li> </ul><p>The book opens with a historical overview of RME development. It is followed by 20 chapters divided in six parts. The initial four chapters focus on fundamentals of relationship and marriage education --program development required training delivery systems and implementation. The three chapters in Part II consider important conceptual and theoretical frameworks used in RME. Part III considers best practices in inventory based programs while Part IV examines six skills-based programs. The chapters in Parts III and IV consider program overview and history theoretical foundations needs assessment and target audience program goals and objectives curriculum issues cultural implications evidence-based research & evaluation and additional resources. This content covers four categories of effective programs -- design and content relevance delivery and implementation and assessment and quality assurance. Part V presents evidence-based RME with diverse groups<b> </b>and<b> </b>Part VI reviews future directions.</p><p>Intended for use in advanced undergraduate or graduate courses in relationship and marriage education family life education marriage and relationship counseling/therapy intimate relationships relationship development or home/school/community services taught in human development and family studies psychology social work sociology religion and more this ground-breaking book also serves as a resource for practitioners therapists counselors clergy members and policy makers interested in evidence based RME programs and those seeking to become Certified Family Life Educators or preparing for a career in RME. </p>