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Determinants and Long‐Term Effects of Attendance Levels in a Marital Enrichment Program for African American Couples
Author(s) -
Barton Allen W.,
Beach Steven R. H.,
Hurt Tera R.,
Fincham Frank D.,
Stanley Scott M.,
Kogan Steven M.,
Brody Gene H.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/jmft.12126
Subject(s) - attendance , african american , psychology , clinical psychology , term (time) , marital status , gerontology , demography , medicine , developmental psychology , environmental health , political science , sociology , physics , population , ethnology , quantum mechanics , law
Although most efficacious marital enrichment programs are multisession, few studies have explored whether outcomes differ according to session attendance, particularly among minority groups with lower than average participation in prevention programs. This study therefore investigates attendance levels and long‐term improvements in couple functioning among 164 couples participating in the P romoting S trong A frican A merican F amilies program. Structural equation models indicated session attendance predicted 2‐year changes for men's reports of communication, commitment, and spousal support (marginally) but not for women's. Individual and couple characteristics that predicted attendance levels were also identified. Results highlight distinct gender differences in the effects of sustained attendance as well as characteristics that provide early identifiers for A frican A merican couples at increased risk of low program attendance.