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AN ANALYSIS OF SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF STRONG FAMILIES AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MARRIAGE/FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION
Abstract
This research investigated the correlation between perceived family strength and several factors within families. The major factors included satisfaction with the spouse's role performance; respect for the individuality of family members; comfort in sharing problems; satisfaction with communication patterns between spouses; preparation for marriage through a class or counseling; and the amount of time families play and work together. Other correlations were made, involving demographic data. The sample was drawn from males who had graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and who, while in their university careers had taken at least one marriage and family class. Wives were also asked to respond. A total of two hundred eighty-six persons responded. Perceived family strength was measured by several questions adapted from the "Family Strengths Research Project in Oklahoma" (Stinnett, 1979). The responses were correlated with responses to questions concerning role satisfaction, communication, preparation for marriage, etc. Family strength was correlated with each factor individually. It was hypothesized that persons in marriages where there was high satisfaction with the spouse's role performance would report a high level of family strength. It was hypothesized further that husbands in families where there was high respect for individuality, high degree of comfort in sharing problems, satisfaction with spouse communication, preparation for marriage through a marriage and family class and premarital counseling, or frequent playing and working together would report more family strength than those families where these conditions were not in effect. Significant correlations were found between family strength and the role performance of spouses, respect for individuals, communication, and comfort in sharing problems with spouse. No significant correlation was found between family strength and specific ways couples prepared for marriage. The amount of time spent together had a low negative coefficient of correlation with family strength. In addition, it was reported that the busy pace of modern life has a negative effect on families. The families in this study reported a very high degree of satisfaction in their marriages. Implications for family life education and further research are discussed.
Subject Area
Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology
Recommended Citation
LUETCHENS, MELVIN HARVEY, "AN ANALYSIS OF SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF STRONG FAMILIES AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MARRIAGE/FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION" (1981). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8208363.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8208363