Program Development from Start-to-Finish: A Case Study of the Healthy Relationship and Marriage Education Training Project

What goes into designing and implementing a successful program? How do both research and practice inform program development? In this article, the process through which a federally funded training curriculum was developed and piloted tested is described. Using a logic model framework, important lessons learned are shared in defining the situation, identifying and maximizing inputs, clarifying and tracking outputs, and documenting and reporting outcomes

Three Steps for a Happier Life

This fact sheet provides three steps for a happier life

Why Stress Management Strategies Work

Stress is a universally-experienced phenomenon. Although there are myriad causes, the methods of effectively managing the stress are generally the same. Why do these strategies work though? This fact sheet addresses this question, citing what research has found about why these commonly suggested stress management strategies work. They are divided into physical, mental, and social categories of stress relievers

Parenting Advice and Regrets of Empty-Nesters

Objective: To identify the advice and regrets empty-nest parents have when reflecting on their experiences as parents, and to investigate the utility of the parenting pyramid framework for parent education on the basis of that advice and those regrets. Background: The parenting pyramid specifies that the parent–child relationship, teaching, and corection are key components of parenting, and that they should be emphasized in that order or priority. However, the extent to which this model is reflective of what parents actually think or do, or wish they would have done, remains unclear. Method: Empty-nesters were recruited through social media, professional e-mail listservs, university advertising, newspaper ads in multiple states, and word of mouth, resulting in a convenience sample of 379 individuals from across the United States who completed an online, open-ended survey. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Consistent with the parenting pyramid, empty-nesters conveyed the importance of a healthy parent–child relationship being the foundation for teaching, reasoning, direction, and correction throughout children’s lives. Empty-nesters’ advice focused primarily on the importance of the parent–child relationship and the role of parents as teachers. Regrets were related to overemphasizing correction and negativity. Conclusions: These findings provide empirical support for the utility of the parenting pyramid as a useful framework for principles-focused parent education. Implications: The relative importance of relationship building versus correction and discipline suggest that parent educators should reduce the amount of time and attention they spend answering the question, “What to do when things go wrong?” and focus more on helping things go right

Tips for Tackling Stress

This fact sheet provides tips and strategies for tackling stress. Just as there are different kinds of stressors, there are different ways of managing stresses and some ways are healthier than others, as described in the fact sheet

Technology Tips and Traps in Your Relationship

This fact sheet will help you be aware of some of the positive and negative effects of technology and how to protect your marriage from being swamped by i

Technoference Strategies: Managing Family Screen Time

This fact sheet provides steps and strategies to manage family screen time

Keys for Strong Commitment in Marriage

This fact sheet presents three types of commitment and describes how to strengthen your marital commitment

Tips to Strengthen Relationships Today

This fact sheet outlines several tips you can apply today to start developing and strengthening your close romantic and non-romantic relationships

Pros and Cons of Online Dating in Later Life

In later life, as with most things, there are both positives and negatives associated with online dating. It is important to be aware of them in order to make an informed decision of whether to use or not use Internet sites to cultivate new relationships. This fact sheet outlines the pros and cons