Premarital relationships among Japanese couples based on PREPARE

This study examined the research utility of the Japanese version of PREPARE, using 849 engaged Japanese couples. First, the face validity of Japanese PREPARE was validated through back-translation conducted by the author, followed by the internal consistency analyses of PREPARE scales (alpha reliability). Back translation of Japanese items into English confirmed an appropriate face validity of Japanese PREPARE items in comparison with the original U.S. items. Alpha reliability analysis yielded the average coefficient of .70 among the PREPARE scales, also demonstrating acceptable levels of internal consistency of the Japanese scales. Next, Japanese premarital couple typology was developed using a hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis and k-means cluster analysis. The cluster solution and profiles of each premarital couple type were compared with the U.S. premarital types (Fowers & Olson, 1992) in order to evaluate potential cultural similarities and differences between the two populations. Cluster analyses revealed the four distinct premarital couple types, fairly comparable to the U.S. types. Several unique features of the Japanese premarital typology were also identified and discussed. The results of the current study suggest that the prevalence rate of distressed couples has been increasing in recent years (1999--2002). Gender differences in perceptions of premarital relationship qualities also were salient among the couples in this study. Suggestions were provided for using PREPARE with Japanese premarital couples in a clinical setting, as well as future research directions for promoting further premarital studies in Japan.