Qualitative evaluation of the Passionate Marriage Couple Enrichment Weekend(TM).

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This qualitative study examined the perceptions of couples and individual partners regarding the impact of the <italic>Passionate Marriage™ </italic> Couple Enrichment Weekend on their intimate relationship. Twenty-seven couples were interviewed both individually and as a couple before and after attending the weekend. Analytic induction was used to analyze the data with the preexisting hypothesis that couples would report changes in their differentiation, intimacy, sexual meaning systems, and/or conflict following the weekend, reflecting the emphases of the <italic>Passionate Marriage</italic> model.
The hypothesis was supported in that all 27 couples reported relational and/or individual changes in the domains of interest. Most participants gave evidence of increasing their level of differentiation as a result of attending the workshop. Couples reported increased intimacy following the workshop. Sexual meaning among participants was characterized as more relaxing, playful, and fun. Many couples were satisfied with the slow, incremental progress of their sexual relationship following the workshop. Overall, participants reported a reduction in the frequency and severity of relational conflict after the workshop.
Participants found several aspects of the workshop helpful, including the concepts, the workbook-guided couple discussions, the positive developmental perspective, and the opportunity for personal or couple assistance from the presenters. Participants suggested several improvements for the workshop, including decreasing the length of the lectures, adding small groups, and adding additional presenters. Most participants found taking part in the research to be a positive or neutral experience, with two participants having temporary negative experiences. Additional findings in the characterization of interviews, characterization of relationships, and participant considerations regarding the research also emerged from the interviews.