Topic: Relationships, Communication
Target Population: Couples
Sector: Community-Based, Faith-Based
Military Sector: All Branches
This program is for married and premarital couples.
Prevention & Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), a community- or faith-based program, is designed to encourage couples to improve their bonds by learning communication strategies, identifying and resolving concerns together, and developing and improving their relationships.
Evaluations of PREP provide some evidence that participation in the program is associated with lower rates of premarital break-ups, improved marital satisfaction, increased positive communication, and decreased negative communication. However, many of the studies on PREP have revealed mixed findings that suggest inconsistent effects. Furthermore, evaluations have revealed that many of the positive effects that do occur tend to fade over time.
PREP uses cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, among other methods, to help improve couples' relationships. A trained consultant facilitates the program, which typically includes three to eight couples. The following topics are addressed:
By helping couples improve and retain a healthy relationship, PREP strives to increase each individual’s overall quality of life.
PREP has been implemented in 15 countries and translated into five languages. PREP was first used by the Navy in 1989 and currently provides services to all branches of the military.
Facilitators are not required to have a specific educational background or experience; however, they must become PREP-certified. Online and in-person training options are available. Please visit https://prepinc.com/collections/prep-instructor-training-events for more information.
Considerations for implementing this program include recruiting facilitators and ensuring they receive training, acquiring participant buy-in, and locating space for program implementation.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing PREP, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
PREP contains 8 to 14 hours of content.
Various facilitator and participant materials are available for purchase. Please visit https://prepinc.com/collections/all for more information on materials and cost.
To move PREP to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one to two additional evaluations should be performed demonstrating consistently positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 or Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact PREP Inc., by mail 6025 S. Quebec Street, Suite 130, Centennial, CO 80111, phone 1-800-366-0166, fax 1-303-759-4212, email info@prepinc.com, or visit https://www.prepinc.com/
Anderson, J. R., Stith, S. M., Johnson, M. D., Strachman-Miller, M. M., Amanor-Boadu, Y., & Linkh, D. J. (2013). Multi-couple group and self-directed PREP formats enhance relationship satisfaction and improve anger management skills in air force couples. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 41(2), 121-133. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2012.671104
Carlson, R. G., Barden, S. M., Daire, A. P., & Greene, J. (2014). Influence of relationship education on relationship satisfaction for low-income couples. Journal of Counseling and Development, 92(4), 418-427. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00168.x
Fallahchai, R., Fallahi, M., & Badiee, M. (2021). Two‐year follow‐up of the efficacy of the PREP training on Iranian newlyweds. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47(1), 183-195. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12444
Fallahi, M., Fallahchai, R., & Abbasnejad, T. (2022). Communication behaviors and marital functioning among Iranian newlyweds: The effects of the prevention and relationship education program. Current Psychology, 41(6), 3565-3576. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00889-9
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Halford, W., Sanders, M., & Behrens, B. (2001). Can skills training prevent relationship problems in at-risk couples? Four-year effects of a behavioral relationship education program. Journal of Family Psychology, 15(4), 750-768. https://doi.org/10.1037//0893-3200.15.4.750
Kazura, K. (2018). Relationship intervention for inmates and their partners: Bringing couples together before release. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 62(9), 2586-2600. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X17721525
Laurenceau, J., Stanley, S. M., Olmos-Gallo, A., Baucom, B., & Markman, H. J. (2004). Community-based prevention of marital dysfunction: Multilevel modeling of a randomized effectiveness study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72(6), 933-943. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.72.6.933
Markman, H. J., Renick, M. J., Floyd, F. J., Stanley, S. M., & Clements, M. (1993). Preventing marital distress through communication and conflict management training: A 4- and 5-year follow-up. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61(1), 70-77. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.61.1.70
Mehr, R. K., Sadidi, M., & Goddard, H. W. (2025). A randomized controlled trial of the getting our hearts right program and the prevention and relationship enhancement program in a sample of Iranian couples. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 51(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12763
Owen, J., Quirk, K., Bergen, C., Inch, L. J., & France, T. (2012). The effectiveness of PREP with lower-income Racial/Ethnic minority couples. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38(s1), 296-307. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.2012.00294.x
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Loew, B., Rhoades, G., Markman, H., Stanley, S., Pacifici, C., White, L., & Delaney, R. (2012). Internet delivery of PREP-based relationship education for at-risk couples. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 11(4), 291-309. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332691.2012.718968
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