The Effectiveness of a Group Training Program for Enriching Spousal Relationships on Marital Adjustment, Expectations, and Goal Orientation

This study examined the effectiveness of group training based on the PREPARE/ENRICH program in enhancing marital adjustment, expectations, and goal orientation among couples without significant conflict. An experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group and a three-month follow-up was used. From 107 volunteers, 34 eligible couples were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups; 30 completed the study. The experimental group attended seven sessions of relationship enrichment training, while the control group received no intervention. The Spanier Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Omidvar Marital Expectations Questionnaire, and Eggeman Marital Goal Orientation Questionnaire were used for assessment. Repeated measures analysis showed that the training significantly improved all three outcomes in the experimental group, and the effects were maintained at follow-up. The findings underscore the value of structured relationship enrichment programs like PREPARE/ENRICH in promoting healthy marital dynamics, fostering long-term relational stability, and helping to prevent the emergence of marital conflicts.