MARITAL AND PREMARITAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS: A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Marital and premarital education programs are training to promote stable and functional relationships. They have been in the United States for over 40 years. In Brazil, there are only isolated proposals. The present non-systematic review of the literature aimed to verify the structure most used in these programs, by reviewing their curricula. The results indicate that they are based on the systemic or integrative approach, are predominantly pre-marital, with moderate hours, including 10 or more meetings of varied and flexible frequency, offered in face and group format, with a small number of participants. The instruments / techniques used and the themes worked on are varied. Limitations of existing programs and future directions for the field in Brazil are pointed out.