Mandated Premarital Therapy and Early Marital Adjustment

Abstract

As research has demonstrated the effectiveness of premarital therapy; there has been an increase in participation and often a requirement for a couple to participate in premarital therapy. However, mandated treatment in general has not shown the same efficacy as voluntary involvement in therapy. Participants were those who had been married within a Presbyterian Church in the past five years and received mandated premarital therapy. Participants' initial willingness to participate in mandated premarital therapy was predictive of overall satisfaction in premarital therapy and interest in attending future therapy sessions; however, it was not predictive of overall marital adjustment. Premarital therapy implications are discussed and suggestions are offered.

Key Words:

• Premarital therapy
• couple therapy
• mandated treatment
• marital satisfaction