Marriage education :a grounded theory study of the positive influence of the educational experience on the marriage relationship /by Barbara D. Petty.

Even though couples desire a successful, happy, fulfilling marriage, many struggle and fail at achieving their desires. To provide the help couples are willing to accept, marriage education programs have been developed to teach couples knowledge and skills to be implemented in improving marriage relationships. The primary purpose of this grounded theory study was to discover a central theory explaining how participating in marriage education programs assists couples in improving their marital relationships, as perceived by married couples who participated in Married and Loving It!{reg}. The secondary purpose was to identify the specific components of the program that had the greatest influence in facilitating the adult learning process that resulted in an improved marriage.;The participants of this study consisted of six married couples who had participated in Married and Loving It!{reg}. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and was analyzed by identifying and labeling concepts through open coding. During axial coding the concepts were analyzed according to properties and dimensions. Through the third and final stage of analysis, selective coding, the core category and central theory emerged. The findings of this study were verified through member checks, an audit trail, a peer reviewer, triangulation and the use of rich, thick description.;The theory, The Art of Becoming a Couple, which emerged from this study states to improve their marriage relationship, couples learn about themselves, each other and the meaning derived from their interactions as they progress through a developmental process of valuing, gaining understanding, being open, implementing new knowledge and skills, and taking ownership of their marriage relationship. Marriage education facilitates this change by fostering commitment, creating a learning environment, encouraging skill development, providing opportunities for critical reflection and reinforcing change.;The results of this study will inform future marriage education programs by giving insight as to how adults receive information, learn new skills, and positively apply them to their lives in the context of marriage relationships. The revisions of current marriage education programs and the development of future marriage education programs will be informed by the findings of this study.Thesis (Ph. D., Education)--University of Idaho, March 2007