Use of videotape learning packages : a marital enrichment field experiment with two delivery systems

The purposes of this study were (a) to evaluate the effectiveness of two procedures (traditional group workshop and individual telephone conference/mail) for training home economics Extension agents to use videotape resources in working with married couples, and (b) to design, implement, and evaluate videotape learning packages for facilitating married couples' interpersonal competence skills in self-understanding, communication, and growth toward states of consensus and commitment to their relationships. Videotape learning packages were utilized by Extension agents acting as leaders with groups of married couples. The sample consisted of 50 married couples and 10 agent-leaders from 10 counties in two Agricultural Extension Service districts. Thirty-nine couples attended a series of four videotape/discussion programs and responded to pre-post inventories. Eleven control couples who did not attend the series also responded.