Family life education

Stewart D Grant

This is an phenomenological project from a constructivist viewpoint to determine why five marriage education couples exceeded their volunteer commitment. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed in order to understand the intrinsic and relational variables contributing to their service duration. Themes identified were (1) faith and belief as a framework, (2) personal and relational growth, and (3) growth mindset. A conceptual model of mindset appeared that served commitment and intent. This model is discussed, along with integration and other research models. Implications for volunteer coordinators and pastors of enrichment programs are suggested, along with ideas for future research.

Jeffrey D Granger

This thesis researches whether a 12-week spiritual formation program for a group of ten to twelve married Christian couples will enhance their individual relationship with God and others, and therefore, increase perceived marital satisfaction. It outlines a model for spiritual formation centered on being conformed to the image of Christ. Theoretical support ties spirituality to marital satisfaction, and subjectification to love for God and others. Measures include the DAS, SWBS, and qualitative questionnaires. Results suggest this program was a positive influence on perceived marital satisfaction.

Roosevelt Walker

The purpose of the project was to impact the ability of a select group of African-American married couples to address their core longings by leading them through a formational counseling small-group experience. The project was intended to effect the spiritual, emotional, mental, and behavioral well-being of its participants as individuals and spouses. The participants assessed the project's impact using a pre-test and post-test questionnaire based on the Likert scale model. Results indicate that participants were impacted relative to each project goal. However, participants' cognizance of core longings and identifying of wounds stemming from core-longing deficits proved most impactful.

David Marine Mabry

The purpose of this project was to impact the relationship health of participating married couples at Orange Friends Church through the Prepare-Enrich Group Program. The Prepare-Enrich Group Program was implemented over a six week course and effectiveness of the purpose was measured using participant assessments that were administered previous to the program start and after the course was complete. The program clearly impacted the participating couples, primarily in the areas of self-awareness, conflict resolution, and increased satisfaction. Application for the local church and recommendation for further research is offered for consideration.

Warren K Robinson

This study evaluated a biblical and psycho-educational program designed to increase and strengthen marital satisfaction and commitment among military couples. The primary objective was to educate couples on eight dimensions of intimacy and measure the impact on satisfaction and commitment. It was hypothesized that after receiving the education, couples would report increases in intimacy, satisfaction, and commitment. A convenience sample of ten couples participated in a twelve week marital enrichment program. Results indicated that participating in the program increased marital satisfaction and strengthened commitment. The author recommends that marital enrichment programs incorporate a multidimensional intimacy model when working with couples.

Monte E Race

The thesis studied the effect that a culturally adapted version of the MRE PREP has on marital intimacy, marital satisfaction, conflict resolution, and expectations on young married couples in Tatarstan, Russia. ANOVA with a pretest, posttest, and waitlist design was used to compare the change in dependent variables in relation to the independent variable PREP. The test group compared to the control group showed moderate positive effect sizes for communication and conflict resolution skills. Regarding marital satisfaction and intimacy no statistically significant changes were noted. Intimacy, satisfaction, communication skills, and expectations were all positively correlated.

Willie J Bailey

The project sought to educate substance abusers of Camillus House Social and Personal Adjustment Center, located in Miami, Florida, on how the multigenerational disease of addiction is passed on. This project promotes a public health approach to the treatment of substance abuse by treating the family rather than the individual. Five sessions using an impromptu skit and four didactic sessions educated the abusers about the roles family members play in dysfunctional families. Data suggested an increase in knowledge regarding family roles but no change in beliefs about the importance of involving family members in treatment.

Michael D Reeves

The purpose of this project is to empower members of the Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio to participate in the financial empowerment of the Christian family. The hypothesis was that through training, education and Christian principles, the members of Corinthian can develop their families, financial empowerment. This project consisted of a series of financial seminars. The research design was pretest and posttest, using ten identical questions on each test. After the seminars and analysis were complete, it was determined that there was attitudinal change among the Christian families that completed the financial empowerment seminars.

Wendell K Rome

The objective of the project was that integrating an alternative name for stepfather, Patu, would: give the Patu a positive name belonging only to him, by which his childtus could refer to him, thus enhancing his own identity, thus improving famtu relationships between him and his famtu. PTM is a multiracial, nondenominational men's ministry. Fifteen Patus participated in the project (three groups of five) and two retreats in Portland, Oregon which were held three weeks apart. Instruments used were pre/post identity, relationship and satisfactions surveys. Interview questions and a Bible study, Joseph Stepfather to Jesus, were also integrated into the project.

Michael Wayne Hawkins

The purpose of this project is to equip selected men at Woodridge Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana to serve as spiritual leaders in their homes. Training includes five instructional sessions taught from the text of Ephesians 5 and 6. Sessions are presented at two week intervals with personal application assignments between sessions. The first four sessions explore relationships. The first session presents one's relationship to God as foundational for all other relationships. Relationships to one's wife and to one's children follow in sessions two and three. Session four examines business and social relationships. The last session focuses on spiritual leadership in all relationships through spiritual warfare.