ARE PREMARITAL PREVENTION PROGRAMS REACHING COUPLES AT RISK FOR MARITAL DYSFUNCTION

In 2 studies, newlyweds reported whether they had participated in prem arital counseling and provided data on known risk factors for marital dysfunction. Couples who participated in premarital programs were not at greater risk for marital difficulties, and in some casts participat ing husbands were at lower risk for marital difficulties compared with husbands who did nor participate. Longitudinal data indicated that co uples who participated in premarital programs did nor have better mari tal outcomes than couples who did not participate. The present article also addresses the need to develop procedures that will increase at-r isk couples' participation in premarital programs and to improve the e ffectiveness of these programs in community settings.