Learning Objective #1: Learn that the marital-relationship enhancement program emphasized the repair and maintenance of positive affect in marriage

Learning Objective #2: Learn that the marital-relationship enhancement program offers the possibility of greater cost effectiveness and divorce prevention than traditional programs

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Background. The divorce rate is increasing worldwide, especially in US and South Korea. Divorce threats the physical and psychological health of the couple involved, and the well-being of their children. Therapy interventions for marital couples have traditionally been offered only after conflicts have become very serious, but the recent introduction of marital-relationship enhancement programs offers the possibility of greater cost effectiveness and divorce prevention. Objective. This paper reports a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of a marital-relationship enhancement program for marital couples. Methods. Volunteer couples from several family well-being centers in Seoul were randomly assigned either to a treatment group (n=36), participating in a marital-relationship enhancement program based on Gottman's “sound marital house” theory and educational approach, or to a control group (n=35) receiving no treatment program. The content of the marital-relationship enhancement program was provided to the control group after the research completed. Data were collected from December 2003 to May 2004 using modified versions of the inventories developed by Gottman on marital satisfaction, positive affect, conflict regulation, and communication barriers (criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling). Results. Participants in the experimental group showed significant improvements in marital satisfaction, positive affect, conflict regulation, and communication-barrier scores compared to the control group. Conclusion. The present program for marital-relationship enhancement was characterized by exercises that repair and maintain the positive affect in marital relationships, whereas previous programs have focused on problem solving and communication skills. The program used here is helpful in enhancing marital relationships and regulating conflict between marital couples and, ultimately, may be expected to prevent divorce.