Couples relationship education program research in Korea: An analysis of program development in human ecology journals

국내 커플관계교육 연구의 프로그램 개발과정 분석: 생활과학분야 학술지 논문을 중심으로

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze how couples relationship education (CRE) programs in Korean scholarly journals have been developed since they first appeared in 1994. Method: We selected articles that were published in journals related to human ecology and that included information about how the authors developed CRE programs (premarital education, marriage education). Using coding schemes based on the theoretical frameworks of CRE, we quantitatively coded programs in four specific areas: (a) overall characteristics, (b) program planning, (c) program construction and implementation, and (d) program evaluation. Results: Although CRE programs have increased and evolved since the 1990s, the literature has been limited on testing long-term program efficacy, developing dissemination plans, and applying theories to program design. In terms of program participants and content, most programs had similar themes despite their differences in the target audience. We also found that few programs have been provided for diverse couples. As for evaluation, pre- and post-testing was the most common method of efficacy test. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that family researchers and practitioners develop more elaborate and systematic programs to advance CRE in Korea as a core topic of family life education and to provide evidence-informed practice.