A Component Analysis of Marriage Enrichment: Information and Treatment Modality

Two primary components were identified in marriage enrichment programs: information about marital life (or none) and discussion among married couples (or none). Student couples (N = 36) volunteered for a marriage enrichment program and were assigned to one of four conditions: (1) assessment only, (2) information only (received by couples), (3) an unstructured discussion group, and (4) a structured group with both information and group discussion. Information had little apparent effect on couples, but discussion in groups improved couples' marriage satisfaction and their sexual and intellectual intimacy throughout the study relative to couples not receiving group discussion. Improvement was thought to be due to the group discussion heightening couples' attention to how they use their time as a couple.