The Efficacy of Web-Based Marriage Preparation Education for Premarital Couples

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of web-based marriage preparation education provided to engaged couples before marriage on their knowledge of sexual and reproductive health, marital adjustment, sexual satisfaction, and sexual self-efficacy. The randomized controlled experimental study took place between September 2021 and November 2022 at a municipal marriage registry office in Ankara. The study enrolled 60 engaged couples embarking on their first marriage (30 couples assigned to the intervention group and 30 to the control group). The intervention group received web-based marriage preparation education, while the control group received standardized follow-up. Data collection involved the use of the “Data Collection Form,” the “Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge Test for Premarital Couples (SRH),” the “Marital Adjustment Scale (MAS),” the “New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS),” and the “Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale (SSES).” Data analysis employed descriptive statistics (percentage, frequency, mean, and standard deviation), split-plot ANOVA for pre-test and post-test comparisons, two-way ANOVA for intergroup scale score comparisons, and the Pearson correlation test for correlational analysis. The post-test knowledge scores on sexual and reproductive health for the group that received marriage preparation education were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.01). Additionally, the intervention group exhibited significantly higher scores on the MAS, NSSS, and SSES than the non-education group (p < 0.05). The study concludes that pre-marriage education played a crucial role in enhancing couples’ understanding of sexual and reproductive health, marital adjustment, sexual satisfaction, and sexual self-efficacy. Moreover, the education administered by a women’s health nurse highlighted the importance of web-based technologies in counseling.