| While there are various marital enrichment and therapy programs to address relationship repair, there appears to be a void in those that specifically approach the problem holistically and with the focus on the nature of learning. This is particularly essential as people change and transition throughout life. Understanding how one learns, what one needs to be an effective communicator, and how to identify and support those things in others can lead to greater collaboration and thus stronger relationships. As such, this study aimed to explore the relevance of the Getting To Know Your Self (GTKYS) program, which was self-designed by the researcher, on a targeted population of couples married during the "transition" phase, years two through eight. During a time when the failure rate of marriage is high, if a program such as the GTKYS can enhance communication and generate behavioral changes that are adaptable and lasting, then it could possibly reduce negative effects of the transition phase and extend the quality of marriage. To explore this relationship, the study used concurrent triangulation mixed methodology research design to identify and explore metacognition, self-efficacy, transfer, and the relationship between perceived and actual communication skill of these couples. The findings of the study suggest that couples were able to achieve enhanced communication within their marital relationships as well as in extended relationships. Participants successfully integrated metacognitive practices that they applied in their communication exchanges noting overall increases in communication ability (self and partner), communication exchanges, and quality of relationship. |
