Effects of a marriage enrichment program: An outcome study

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Abstract
This study investigated the impact of a marriage enrichment program. Fourteen couples were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups or to a no-treatment control group. One experimental group received fair-fight training for 3 weeks followed by a sexual enhancement format for 3 additional weeks. The second experimental group received the opposite treatment sequence. The same counselor team used the same exercises in both groups. 'The sequence of treatment did not differentially affect outcome. 'The immediate and longer term treatment effects that were found generally favored the treatment groups over the no-treatment control group on spouses' separate reports of marital arid personal functioning. Using larger and more homogene. ous samples, future studies should examine the relationship of individual partner changes to couple changes, conduct a follow-up evaluation of at least 3 months, and obtain behavioral asscssments of couples' interactions before and after treatment.