Fruits of Improved Communication: The Experiences of Hispanic Couples in a Relationship Education Program

Marital and relationship education (MRE) has demonstrated its efficacy as a viable intervention helpful to couples and individuals who receive it. However, an overrepresentation of Caucasian populations existed in MRE research resulting in a need to understand how MRE is received by those in underserved populations. The current study reports the findings derived from focus groups consisting of Hispanic individuals and couples who attended and completed 20 hours of MRE using a PREP-based curriculum. Participants were asked five questions regarding differences they perceived in their relationships as a result of attending the MRE program. While participants agreed that they had learned and acquired new communication skills, they also reported substantial changes in the amount of peace and calm in their homes as well as increased understanding of and patience toward their partners. Additionally, participants reported sharing what they had learned in the MRE with family members who were not in attendance. This seemed to represent an effort to "pay it forward" to their loved ones. This study suggests that the benefits of MRE for these Hispanic families were felt well beyond those who actually attended the MRE program.