IMPACT OF FAMILY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMES

Abstract

Family Life Education has been strongly recommended in the Report of the Inter-Ministry Committee on Dysfunctional Families, Juvenile Delinquency andDrug Abuse, 1995. Its ability to enhance the well-being of families and in helping families to meet the challenges of modern society is slowly being given its due recognition. The current study examined two types of group-based programmes: Parent Education Programmes (PEPs) and Marriage Enrichment Programmes(MEPs). Both technical and situational perspectives were taken in the evaluation of these programmes. The outcome measures used were marital satisfaction (MS),parenting satisfaction (PS) and programme satisfaction (PRS) Using a post-test only non-equivalent groups quasi-experimental design, it was predicted that, PEP participants will have higher PS levels than nonparticipants and MEP participants will have higher MS levels than nonparticipants. Also, because MS and PS levels are predicted to be positively correlated, it was expected that PEP participants will not only have higher PS levels but higher MS levels as compared to non participants. Similarly, MEP participants will have higher PS levels than nonparticipants. These hypotheses were partially supported. MS and PS were indeed positively correlated, however, PEP participants reported lower satisfaction levels than nonparticipants. MEP participants did not differ significantly from non participants. Results are discussed by exploring the possible interpretations in the face of design and methodological limitations. Implications for Family Enrichment Programmes and further research are discussed