Context and Object: The "Holding Hands" family program is a marriage education program that focuses on interactional characteristics of Taiwanese couples, emphasizes the enjoyability of shared activities, and pays attention to individual privacy and differences between husband and wife. The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to evaluate the "Holding Hands" family program across four major characteristics: localization, enjoyability, privacy, and professionalism; (2) to assess the effects of the "Holding Hands" family program in enriching marital relationships. Method: Survey, focus groups, and individual interviews were employed to collect relevant data in this study. The survey included items for examining the degree of learning and satisfaction that couples felt towards the program. It also investigated changes in the quality of marriage before and after couples participated in the program. Focus groups and individual interviews were used to understand the feelings of the couples towards the characteristics of the program and to explore the processes of how marital relationships improve over time. A total of 17 couples participated in the program and completed the questionnaire. Seven couples participated in focus groups or in-depth interviews. Results: In evaluating this program, 78% of participants felt that the interaction method they learned was suitable for Taiwanese couples, showing the localization of the program; 89% of participants found the activities to be entertaining, showing the enjoyability of the program; 77% of participants were satisfied that the program provided alone time for couples, demonstrating the privacy of the program; and 78% of participants acquired professional knowledge about marriage, reflecting the professionalism of the program. In assessing the impact of this program, the results showed that among seven couples who completed pretest and posttest questionnaires, three couples’ marital quality increased over time, three couples showed different patterns between husbands and wives in marital quality changes (one’s marital quality increased and the other’s marital quality decreased), and one couple’s marital quality remained the same as before. It seemed that the program had the effect of revitalizing the partnership for most of the participants. How exactly did the "Holding Hands" family program enrich the relationship between husband and wife? The qualitative findings showed that this marital education program promoted marital quality by designing courses that (1) allowed the couples to realize what was previously overlooked and to understand each other better, (2) generated new perspectives on relationship development and rethought the meanings behind their spousal behaviors, and (3) allowed for couples to change their thoughts and then adjust their approaches. Conclusion and Suggestions: This program achieved breakthroughs and demonstrated strength across the four major characteristics. The program also provided activities for couples’ children to enable couples to participate. By emphasizing enjoyability and privacy, the program appealed to participants in various groups and genders. The concepts for this program were all derived from the results of localized research, which was tailored to the life experiences and ways of communications among Taiwanese couples. Future marriage education research may consider combining activities with the husband and wife, children, and even the whole family, which should increase couples’ participation and acceptance of marriage education. To promote future marriage education, government and non-governmental organizations can combine resources from the industry, government, and academia sources to examine the effect of marriage education currently implemented in Taiwan, understand the main mechanism by which marriage education improves marital relationship, and explore the applicability of marriage education programs to couples at different phases of family life.
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