PREVENTION OF RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS - RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT

Whilst nearly all couple relationships start out happy, half of all ma rriages end in divorce. Relationship education is a potentially effect ive strategy to reduce the prevalence of relationship problems and div orce. The substantial empirical research on the determinants of relati onship satisfaction shows that there are key relationship skills, such as communication and conflict management skills, which impact on the course of relationship satisfaction and stability. Relationship educat ion can teach couples these key relationship skills, and this may pre vent relationship problems. However, relationship education is not tar geted at those couples who need it most. Research needs to be focused on the effects of relationship education for couples at high risk for relationship problems. The reach of education programs to couples can be enhanced by developing flexible delivery education programs. Relati onship education programs also need to promote coping with stressful e vents that often lead to relationship problems, such as the transition into step-families, the onset of chronic illness, and unemployment.