Members of NERMEN are evaluating the efficacy of programs that prepare individuals and couples for healthy relationships. Below are some examples of recent projects; to learn about other state-specific projects visit State Initiatives. Also, visit Extension Resources for a list of peer-reviewed articles describing other evaluated resources.
High school students participating in Relationship Smarts showed statistically significant increases in knowledge and understanding of various aspects of healthy relationships, including a greater awareness of characteristics of unhealthy relationships and healthy patterns of communication in relationships. A 5-year federal grant will support the longitudinal study of program impact of this youth-focused marriage education program (Contact: Jennifer Kerpelman, Auburn University).
Caring for my Family targets nonmarried new parents. Results of pilot project evaluation studies in Alabama and Michigan indicate desired program effects in several important areas of individual and couple functioning. Both states have received 3-year federal grants to support the continued implementation and evaluation of these programs among ethnic minority parents (Contact: Karen Shirer, University of Minnesota).
Through an Army grant, the Premarital Interpersonal Choices and Knowledge (P.I.C.K.) Program was piloted with single solders. At the conclusion of the program, participants demonstrated an increase in their understanding of the crucial areas to explore and discuss in a premarital relationship and exhibited favorable attitudes/beliefs about marriage and mate selection (Contact: Ted Futris, Univeristy of Georgia).
A collaborative ethnographic study between Kansas State and Utah State University Extension is examining what constitutes a strong marriage from the perspective of Latin-American couples. Findings will inform the creation of a new marriage education curriculum that is culturally appropriate for this audience (Contact: Linda Skogrand, Utah State University).
NERMEN will also be developing a compendium of evaluation tools to be utilized by Extension personnel to assess the impact of their work in the area of relationship and marriage education. We will also determine methods for aggregating data across the system to document national impact of Extension work in this program area. If interested in becoming involved in this effort contact Brian Higginbotham, Utah State University.
relationships, including a greater awareness of characteristics of unhealthy relationships and healthy patterns of communication in relationships. A 5-year federal grant will support the longitudinal study of program impact of this youth-focused marriage education program (Contact: 