30 Years of Research

PREP - Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Programme
is a worldwide phenomenon.

The PREP Pre Marriage course is skills-based. Its fresh approach, based on 30 years of research, helps couples gain valuable insight into their relationship to build a stronger, more loving union.

PREP studies examine what helps make successful relationships. These studies show that couples who learn PREP skills have a 50% higher success rate at staying together and are happier in their relationships that similar couples without this valuable training.

The Programme teaches couples how to:
•Communicate Effectively
• Manage conflicts without damaging closeness
• Preserve and Enhance Love, Commitment and Friendship

The Core Assumptions of PREP
•The key is to PREVENT serious problems from developing in the first place.
•By knowing what best PREDICTS divorce/separation or marital dissatisfaction, you will know more about what makes for successful marriages.
•Many things are associated with increased chances of divorce/separation, including many that are hard or impossible to change: young age, different backgrounds, personality differences, parental divorce, etc.
•How couples COMMUNICATE and handle CONFLICT say the most about who will have a great marriage and who will go on to have difficulties.
•All couples will have problems. It’s how you handle them that counts most for your future.

History
PREP had its genesis in the University of Denver in the United States over 30 years ago when professors Scott Stanley and Howard Markman began their research into family relationships culminating in such world renowned publications as Fighting for Your Marriage and The Power of Commitment.

Stanley and Markman have received many awards and honours and are often featured as experts on marriage and divorce in the media, including Oprah, The Today Show, NY Times, Time Magazine, Washinton Post and USA Today.

Most recently Stanley and Markman presented at the 'What Works in Relationship Education?' conference at the House of Commons Sponsored by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sustainable Relationships, where Scott Stanley was the Keynote Speaker.

Norway has pioneered the PREP courses in Europe with over 800 trained PREP instructors in a population of only 4 million. PREP courses in Ireland have been run in All Hallows College for the past five years with five trained presenters.

Link to the PREP Pre-Marriage course website