An Evaluation of the Love Notes Curriculum Implemented as a College Class

Abstract

Many couples experience difficulty from relationship distress and/or divorce. Some research suggests that teaching relationship education (RE) to emerging adults before many enter long-term committed relationships can reduce relationship difficulty and promote healthy relationship behaviors. Yet, very little investigation has been conducted with RE and emerging adults. This study reports on the implementation of the Love Notes RE curriculum as the content for a college class on marriage and comparisons were made with a class who did not receive the curriculum on several relationship variables. Results showed that those in the class who did receive the curriculum showed significant gains in relationship confidence and insight compared to the control class, as well as gains in other areas. Implications for practitioners and researchers are provided based on study findings.

Keywords:

• Relationship education
• emerging adulthood
• program evaluation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Class instruction and materials for Love Notes were provided by the Office of Adolescent Health Pregnancy Assistance Fund grant #SP1AH000064.