A content analysis of published healthy marriage and relationship education efficacy studies including Black/African American couples

Objective

This research emphasized the adverse contextual framing of Black/African American couples within a Eurocentric worldview.

Background

The Healthy Marriage Initiative was established to promote healthy marriage and relationship education (HMRE), primarily among low-income couples. Although Healthy Marriage Initiative efficacy studies incorporate Black/African American samples, the program's Eurocentric design exposes biases and assumptions about Black/African American couples, overlooking external determinants such as systemic racism not shared by Eurocentric couples. This issue leads to ambiguity regarding how Administration for Children and Families (ACF)-published efficacy studies, designed within a Eurocentric framework and including Black/African American samples, address these distinct determinants that detrimentally impact relationships.

Method

A content analysis of 39 ACF-funded HMRE efficacy studies that included Black/African American participants were coded for theoretical/conceptual foundations, Eurocentricity, class and structural barriers, and culturally relevant design measures.

Results

Results indicate that 89% of HMRE efficacy studies made no explicit mention of these barriers, 85% did not explicitly mention a theoretical or conceptual foundation, and 89% did not acknowledge Eurocentricity. Only 2.5% included a culturally relevant design measure.

Implications

Recognizing the diversity of relationships and the unique nature of each couple's journey is crucial when providing or seeking information on marriage. Tailoring HMRE studies to individual cultural context may contribute to more effective and personalized support for couples.