The decision to get married can be anxiety-provoking and lead to a lot of feelings, such as fear, uncertainty, confusion, etc. Pre-marital counselling can help couples navigate and work through these feelings. It can also be a valuable source of support to resolve any issues affecting couples before marriage. Considering all these benefits, many people wonder if pre-marital counselling has an impact on divorce rates. Let’s explore this topic further in this article.
Understanding Pre-Marital Counseling
As the name suggests, pre-marital counselling is a form of therapy that aims to prepare couples for the challenges and responsibilities of marriage. In pre-marital counselling, a couple works with a trained couples therapist to address important topics, such as communication, conflict resolution, financial management, and future goals, in a safe and supportive environment. The therapist also empowers couples with various tools and techniques to work on their goals and improve their relationship
Does Pre-Marital Counselling Reduce The Risk Of Divorces?
The short answer to this question is ‘yes, pre-marital counselling can indeed reduce the risk of divorce. In fact, some research studies have shown that pre-marital counselling decreased the risk of divorce by almost 50%, showing a very significant impact. Other research studies also seem to support these findings. Let’s explore them as we go further in this article
Research conducted in the early 2000s in the USA suggests that counselling before marriage can reduce divorce rates by 31%.
Research conducted in 2012 had similar findings, where it was found that couples who attended premarital counselling had stronger relationships than 80% of couples who didn’t attend counselling before marriage. The same research also concluded that men and women who completed pre-marital counselling experienced higher marital satisfaction levels as compared to men and women who did not undergo pre-marriage counselling.
Iranian research conducted in 2011 also reported similar findings, where it was found that newlywed couples who underwent pre-marital counselling experienced higher levels of sexual, non-sexual and overall marital satisfaction as compared to couples who did not opt for pre-marriage counselling. The latest research published in 2023 in Egypt also found that pre-marital counselling positively impacted the marital satisfaction of newly-wed couples.
Another study published in 2021 found that communication skills acquired during pre-marital counselling can improve marital stability in newly-wed couples.
Thus, research suggests that pre-marital counselling not only reduces the risk of divorce but also has a positive impact on overall marital stability and satisfaction among couples.
What Are The Benefits of Pre-Marital Counseling?
Pre-marital counselling provides couples with an opportunity to have open conversations about existing issues as well as potential issues that may arise after marriage. Other benefits of pre-marriage counseling include
- Premarital counselling helps couples learn how to constructively express their thoughts and feelings, listen actively, and resolve conflicts respectfully.
- Premarital counselling teaches couples how to navigate disagreements and find mutually satisfactory solutions. By learning conflict resolution skills early on, couples are better able to handle challenges that arise during marriage, reducing the likelihood of divorce.
- Pre-marital counselling can help couples set realistic expectations for marriage, It can also help them set goals and make plans to achieve them.
- As evidenced by research, pre-marital counselling leads to higher levels of life satisfaction.
Conclusion:
While pre-marital counselling cannot predict or guarantee a successful marriage, research suggests that it can certainly help reduce the risk of divorce. Pre-marital counselling empowers couples with conflict resolution and effective communication skills. Also, it provides them with tools and techniques to navigate the complexities of marriage, which in turn can improve marital satisfaction, leading to lower divorce rates.
References:
- 4 Reasons to Get Premarital Counseling | Psychology Today. (n.d.). Retrieved April 5, 2024, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/magnetic-partners/202206/4-reasons-get-premarital-counseling
- Carlson, R., Daire, A., Munyon, M., & Young, M. (2012). A Comparison of Cohabiting and Noncohabiting Couples Who Participated in Premarital Counseling Using the PREPARE Model. The Family Journal, 20, 123–130. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480712441588
- Elrayes, F. Y., Mahmoud, A. S., Abdel_Aty, I. H., & Salah Salama, N. (2023). Effect of Premarital Counseling on Marital Satisfaction of Newlywed Couples in Port Said Governorate. Port Said Scientific Journal of Nursing, 10(2), 219–250. https://doi.org/10.21608/pssjn.2023.154735.1220
- Farnam, F., Pakgohar, M., & Mir-mohammadali, M. (2011). Effect of Pre-Marriage Counseling on Marital Satisfaction of Iranian Newlywed Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Sexuality & Culture, 15(2), 141–152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-010-9086-6
- Hanson, L. (2017, July 6). Premarital counseling can decrease divorce rates, psychologist says. The Daily Universe. https://universe.byu.edu/2017/07/06/premarital-counseling-can-decrease-divorce-rates-psychologist-says/
- Ngunjiri, J., & Muiru, A. (2021). Effect of Communication Skills acquired during Premarital Counseling on Marital Stability among Newly Married Couples in Kamukunji Sub-County, Nairobi County. http://repository.kyu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/728
- Premarital counseling reduces divorce risk. (n.d.). Retrieved April 5, 2024, from https://phys.org/news/2006-06-premarital-divorce.html
- Savra, J. (n.d.). Does Premarital Counseling Help You Avoid Divorce in Marriage? A Closer Look | Jousline Savra Marriage and Family Therapist | Roswell, GA. Https://Www.Jouslinesavra.Com/. Retrieved April 5, 2024, from https://www.jouslinesavra.com/does-premarital-counseling-help-you-avoid-divorce-in-marriage-a-closer-look/
