Relationship Education for Singles

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Relationship Education for Singles
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Jennifer L. Baker, Psy.D. Anne B. Summers, Ph.D.
Debbi Steinmann, M.A. Training Instructor /
MentorsMelissa A. Gibson, M.S. Kim Rozell, M.A.
Graduate AssistantsBrent Anderson, M.S.
Matthew Biller, M.A. Cate Brandon, M.A Dawn
Clinard, M.A.Jessie Clinton, M.S. Tabitha
Carlson, M.S.Anup Jonathan Tony Larson, B.A.
Nicole Mannis, M.A.Robert Mindrup,
M.S.S.W.Colleen Quinn, Ph.D. Amber Schafer,
M.A. Amanda Schroeder, B.S.

• The Training for the Healthy Marriage and Family
  Formation curriculum was created through the
  cooperative efforts of

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Importance of EarlyRelationship Education

• Early romantic experiences play a central role in
  development and ability to be intimate.
• Opposite sex interaction and relationships
  influence the course of subsequent romantic
  relationships and marriage.

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Importance of Early Relationship Education

• 40-50 of 1516 year olds are in a romantic
  relationship.
• Many adolescents do not have a model of a healthy
  relationship in their family or friendship
  networks.
• Many have low expectations for marriage.
• A majority of teens want an affectionate,
  healthy, lasting marriage.

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Importance of Early Relationship Education

• Expectations for emotional quality and
  companionship in marriage are increasing,
  sometimes leading to unrealistic expectations.
• Early exposure to representations of love and sex
  in the media, lead to unrealistic expectations.
• Relationships require more flexibility than in
  the past.

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Importance of Early Relationship Education

• Expectations for emotional quality and
  companionship in marriage are increasing,
  sometimes leading to unrealistic expectations.
• Early exposure to representations of love and sex
  in the media, lead to unrealistic expectations.
• Relationships require more flexibility than in
  the past.

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Adolescent Views on Marriage

• Over 80 of students had a desire to get married,
  and 60 believed that a lifelong commitment to
  marriage is very likely.
• Approximately 60 of these students expressed a
  positive attitude toward cohabitation.

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Commission on Children at Risk

• The decline in mental and behavioral health of
  children is largely due to current societal
  structure, which does not recognize our innate
  need for human connectedness.

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Commission on Children at Risk

• Belonging is critical and biologically necessary.
• Religion and spirituality are preventative
  factors.
• Fundamental change in societal structure is
  needed.
• Authoritative communities strong families,
  schools, religious congregations, and youth
  organizations foster connectedness.

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Three Myths About Adolescent Relationships

• Adolescent relationships are trivial and
  transitory.
• Romantic relationships simply mirror other
  relationships in adolescents lives.
• Romantic experiences in adolescence are
  associated with behavior problems, substance use,
  and problems in school.

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Benefits of Adolescent Relationships

• Self-esteem and well-being
• Identity
• Career Development

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Five Factors that Influence Romantic Relationship
Quality

• Involvement age, frequency, consistency
• Partner selection
• Content variety of activities
• Quality of relationship
• Cognitive and emotional processes

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Available Programs

• Connections PREP Relationships and Marriage
• P.I.C.K. a Partner (How to Avoid Marrying a
  Jerk/(ette)TM
• Within My ReachTM

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Topics in Relationship Education for Adolescents
Young Adults

• Improving insight.
• Evaluating physical and emotional safety.
• Influence of family background.
• Developing communication and conflict resolution
  skills.

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Target Populations

• High School/College
• Low Income
• Singles of All Ages

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High School/College Connections Relationships
Marriage

• Promotes healthy interactions with peers, family,
  and in romantic relationships.
• Topics addressed
• Personality
• Relationships
• Strengths and Weaknesses

• Communication
• Marriage

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High School/College Connections Relationships
Marriage

• Promotes healthy interactions with peers, family,
  and in romantic relationships.
• Topics addressed
• Personality
• Relationships
• Strengths and Weaknesses

• Communication
• Marriage

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Low-Income Individuals Within My ReachTM

• Emphasis on evaluating safety
• Five Groups of Low-Income Clients
• Marriage Track
• Maybe We Will Couple
• No Marriage Intention
• Single Adults (usually mothers)
• High School and Young Adults

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Within My Reach to Attain Relationship Success

• Cultivate and stabilize viable relationships.
• Helping individuals escape damaging
  relationships.
• Choose future partners wisely.
• Assess a current relationship and determine
  future goals for the relationship.

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Singles of All Ages P.I.C.K. A Partner

• For never-married and divorced.
• Focus on evaluating a potential partner.
• Five Factors of Bonding
• Getting to know the person
• Developing trust
• Learning to rely on the person
• Forming a commitment
• Expressing sexual touch

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• Building Relationships
• www.prepare-enrich.com
• Connections PREP Love U2
• www.buildingrelationshipskills.org
• Forest Institute of Psychologys Marriage and
  Family Department
• www.forest.edu/clinic/index.html
• Partners for Students
• www.abanet.org/family/partners
• RQ Building Relationship Intelligence
• www.freteens.org/stories/curric-intro.htm
• The Loving Well Project
• www.bu.edu/education/lovingwell
• The Dibble Fund

• Websites

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Questions