Client interests in premarital counseling: A further analysis

Abstract

A survey was conducted of over 150 college students concerning their attitudes toward premarital preparation. In general, the students valued brief, high-quality, low-cost, voluntary programs led by well-trained clergy or mental health professionals. However, females, students with more supportive family backgrounds, and religious students were more willing to participate in longer-than-average programs. Students with more supportive family backgrounds were also willing to pay more for such programs and to participate earlier in their relationship's development and were more willing to accept mandatory programs. Religious students were more interested in those led by clergy and less interested in those led by mental health or social workers. Female students were more interested in in-depth programs that focus on awareness and skill-building.