Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, Ill., 2001. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 169-177).

Project Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-214).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Carleton University, 1991. / Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, Ill., 2001. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 169-177).

Project Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-214).

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1999. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-79).

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Hierdie proefskrif het ontstaan uit die behoefte aan 'n bruikbare huweliksvoorbereidingsprograrn wat op 'n teologiese praktykteorie gebaseer is. Die proefskrif word in die praktiese teologie gedoen waar die interaksie tussen teorie en praktyk met verwysing na die huwelik bestudeer is. Hieruit is 'n teologiese praktykteorie vir huweliksvoorbereiding opgestel. In die definiering van 'n program vir huweliksvoorbereiding moet die vraag gevra word waarvoor die paartjie voorberei moet word. 'n Ander wyse om die vraag te stel, is bloot dit: Wat is 'n huwelik? Die probleem is dat daar nie huweliksvoorbereidingsprogramme bestaan met 'n teologiese basis wat gebruik kan word in die voorbereiding van paartjies vir hul huwelik nie. Daar is heelwat programme wat met verskillende vraelyste en formules byvoorbeeld kommunikasie kan verbeter; maar daar is nie programme wat geformuleer is vanuit 'n teologie van die huwelik nie. 'n Definisie vir die huwelik is saamgestel uit die beoordeling van bestaande definisies en die analisering van huweliksmodelle en -vorms. Daarna is 'n definisie vir huweliksvoorbereiding geformuleer. Hierdie definisie is saamgestel uit 'n literatuurstudie en evaluering van bestaande definisies en omskrywings en 'n beoordeling van die geskiedenis van huweliksvoorbereiding in die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk. Die definisie vir huweliksvoorbereiding word in hoofstukke 4 en 5 verduidelik en in hoofstuk 6 word 'n teologiese praktykteorie geformuleer. In hoofstuk 7 word praktiese riglyne vir die implementering van die program gegee. In die definisie word die noodsaaklikheid van interaktiewe kommunikasie tussen pastor en paartjie verduidelik en die betrokkenheid van die pastor, die gemeente en die kerk by die aanbieding van huweliksvoorbereidingsprograrnme word beklemtoon. Verder plaas die definisie die huwelik binne vier teologiese konsepte, naamlik roeping (die paartjie moet geroepe wees om die ouerhuis te verlaat om in die huweliksverhouding bevestig te word); verbond (die begin van 'n nuwe verhouding); sakrament (die huwelik wat as kerk in die kleine moet funksioneer); en liefdesgemeenskap (die stimulering van die inherente groeipotensiaal van die paartjie). / This thesis originated from the need for a pragmatic pre-marital counselling program based on a theological theory of practice. The research was done in practical theology where the interaction between theological theory and praxis with regard to marital life was studied. Out of this work a theological theory of practice for pre-marital counselling and enrichment was formulated. In defining a program for pre-marital counselling the question is "What to prepare the couple for?'' In other words, the question "What is a marriage?" arises. The problem is that no premarital counselling program based on a sound theological theory of practice (theology of marriage) currently exists that can be used as a program to prepare couples for their marriage. A definition of marriage was compiled from existing definitions and formulations which were analyzed and evaluated in terms of models and forms of marriage. Thereafter a defintion for pre-marital counseling was developed. This defintion was compiled from a study of literature; an evaluating of existing definitions and formulations; and the history of pre-marital counselling in the Dutch Reformed Church. This definition is explained in chapter 4 and 5 in chapter 6 a theological theory of practice is formulated. In chapter 7 a program is presented with practical guidelines for implementation. In the definition the necessity of interaction between pastor and couple is explained as well as the need for the pastor, congregation and the church to participate in adininistering counselling programs. Finally, the definition places marriage in four theological concepts namely, vocation (the calling to leave home and enter a marrital relationship); covenant (commencing a new relationship); sacrament (the marriage as church personified); and community (stimulating the growth potential of the couple). / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / Th. D. (Praktiese Teologie)

Divorce is a common phenomenon in South Africa, affecting many families across the country. On the other hand, there are many couples who choose to remain married, despite having endured significant stress. In a review of literature there have been studies conducted exploring enduring marriages (marriages that have lasted twenty years or more), but little on resilience in the early years of marriage. With many couples choosing to divorce within the first ten years of marriage, there is value in exploring the strengths of young marriages that contribute towards resilience. The following question then arises: what are the stressors that couples experience during the early years of marriage (under ten years) and how does the way they cope with these challenges enhance resilience in their marriages? This question has resulted in this qualitative study, employing an exploratory descriptive and contextual research design with the aim of exploring the strengths that contribute towards resilience in the early years of marriage. The study is based within the framework of positive psychology, as this facilitates the exploration of the factors that have contributed towards the resilience of the couples that were interviewed. A non-probability, purposive sampling technique was employed to obtain research participants. Data was collected through the use of individual semistructured interviews conducted with five couples (ten individuals) who have been married for ten years or less, have endured significant stress, have chosen to remain married, and experience their relationship as satisfying. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis. The results of the study may be used to develop a strengths based-intervention programme for couples in the early years of marriage.

This study examined the effects of premarital counseling on newlywed communication. It was predicted that individuals who had participated in premarital counseling would have lower levels of demand/withdrawal communication and higher levels of spousal support. The effects of the format of the counseling were also examined. Individuals who had been married less than two years completed a survey measuring their marital satisfaction, levels of demand/withdraw, and perceived spousal support. Social learning theory was used as a theoretical lens. Results suggested that participating in premarital counseling has no affect on newlywed communication. Newlyweds who had been exposed to a group format during their counseling had higher marital satisfaction than those who had just participated in a one-on-one format with a counselor.