Comparing the Experiences of Couples in First Marriages and Remarriages in Couple and Relationship Education

Abstract

This study examines a diverse sample of married individuals (N = 1,542) in the context of couple and relationship education (CRE). Differences and similarities in participant well-being at baseline and overtime were examined among individuals in first marriages—with and without children from previous relationships—and various types of remarriages utilizing measures of individual, couple, and parental functioning. Additionally, we examined how the content of CRE classes influences change scores of stepfamily couples based on whether they received stepfamily-specific content or generalized CRE. Results indicate that individuals in first marriages and those in different types of remarriages appear to report similar levels of marital functioning initially and appear to benefit similarly from CRE classes. Stepfamily couples appear to benefit similarly from stepfamily-specific and generalized CRE classes, yet differences between the groups are considered in the interpretation of this finding.

Keywords:

• couples education
• first marriage
• marital functioning
• marital quality
• marriage education
• remarriage

Acknowledgments

This research was supported through a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (90FEOOOl). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.