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36 - Promoting Healthy Couple Relationships

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 February 2026

By
W. Kim Halford ,
Alan J. Hawkins ,
Christopher A. Pepping  and
Galena K. Rhoades
Edited by
Anita L. Vangelisti ,
Daniel Perlman  and
Susan Sprecher
Anita L. Vangelisti
Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin
Daniel Perlman
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Susan Sprecher
Affiliation:
Illinois State University
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Summary

This chapter is a review of evidence-based relationship education (RE), meaning education to promote healthy couple relationships whose content is informed by the psychology of intimate relationships, and evaluated in methodologically rigorous trials. We describe two broad approaches to RE and their theoretical underpinnings: assessment with feedback and curriculum-based RE. The chapter analyses how RE can be tailored for different stages of the family life cycle and made easily accessible by using different modes of delivery (e.g., face-to-face, online, and via apps on smart devices). The effectiveness of RE approaches and the factors influencing RE effects are summarized via an umbrella review of recent meta-analyses of outcome research. We conclude that future directions for research and practice should include expanding the diversity of RE theory and content to address diversity in culture, life circumstances, and gender diversity of couple relationships; and extending the reach of RE.

Keywords

relationship educationPREPCouple Carerelationship satisfactionrelationship flourishing

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Chapter
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The Cambridge Handbook of Personal Relationships , pp. 766 - 788
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2026

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