Discussion Guide for Focus Groups with Participants

Discussion Guide for Focus Groups with Participants

Section I: Introduction

• Introductions of facilitators

• Purpose of focus group

Section II: Community

• Do you think marital and family enrichment programs are needed in your community? Why or why not?

• Do most of you live in this community?

• What is the nature of this community, in terms of jobs, background of residents, availability of services?

• Prior to attending the [name of program], did you receive services from this organization? Is it well-known in the Hispanic community?

Section III: Program Enrollment

• How did you hear about the program? (Was it advertized in the media? Did you already attend programs or receive services at this location? Did friends or family tell you about it?)

• Was it easy to sign up? What did this involve?

• Why did you decide to participate? What drew you to this program?

• Did you have any reservations about participation? What were they?

• What were you hoping to learn as a result of participation? And do you feel you learned this?

Section IV: Healthy Marriage Program

• What do you think is the goal of the program?

• What were the classes like?

• What language is your marriage education class taught in? Were both you and your spouse/partner comfortable with that?

• Were there any times that you talked about Hispanic versus American culture in the class? Do the differences in marriages or in ways of communicating and problem-solving in those cultures come up very much? Do you wish it came up more, or is it about right?

• Were there any other concepts, ideas, or skills that were difficult to relate to? If so, what were they? Why do you think they were particularly difficult? How was it handled? If not, why do you think this was the case?

• Were there other activities—like support groups, or family activities—offered? Did you participate in these activities? Why or why not?

• What other services did you receive through this program (e.g., case management, mentoring, supportive services)?

• Which part of the program did you like best? Why?

• Which part did you like least? Why?

• What facilitated your ability to participate in this program (e.g., child care, transportation, accessible location, etc.)?

Section V: Impression of Healthy Marriage Program

• Was the program accessible—that is, were the hours convenient? Was transportation and child care available if needed?

• Did you feel comfortable talking to program staff? Were you able to ask questions and get answers to your questions? Overall, how do you feel you were treated?

• What effect, if any, did the facilitator’s background (for example, ethnic, cultural, country of origin) have on your level of comfort or involvement in the class? What about the mix of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds within the classroom—did this affect comfort, involvement, or learning?

• Do you think the program was relevant to you? That is, did it meet your relationship needs?

• Did you learn something new, or was it just a “reminder” of things that you already knew and sometimes forget to do? Did it give you a brand new way of thinking about your relationship and family? If so, how?

• What did you especially like about this program?

• What would you change? Was anything missing? How could the program be improved?

• Would you recommend this program to friends or family members? Why or why not?

Section VI: Program Outcomes

• What does “healthy marriage” mean to you? Did your understanding change after participating in this program?

• Did you gain any new insights into your self, your partner, and/or your relationship because of this program?

• Did you learn new skills in this program? Like what?

• Of all the skills you learned, which was the best one you walked away with?

• Do you plan to use the knowledge and skills to improve your current (or future) relationship?

• What do you think you will do differently in your relationship/marriage as a result of this program?

• Are you already seeing improvements in your marital relationship? How—in what ways?

• Are you seeing any improvements in your other family relationships? Which ones? How—in what ways?

• Do you behave differently with your children because of this program?

• Did your participation increase your awareness of differences between your culture of origin and that of the U.S.? In what ways? (for example, concepts of marriage, self, partner, marital relationships, marital relationships within the larger family, responsibilities to children) How have you navigated these culture differences (e.g., adapting skills/norms of dominant culture)?

[If applicable child-focused services]:

• Was there adequate child care or child-related programming?

• What has been the experience of your child? Did they enjoy the program? Have you noticed any differences in his/her behavior since participating in the program?

• Do you notice any changes in your child’s behavior since attending the program?

FOCUS GROUP

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION FORM

Please complete this form. The information will be used only to summarize participant information at this meeting. Your name and address are not needed. [Will be translated.]

LOCATION ________________________ DATE__________

1. I am a ___Male ___Female

2. My month and year of birth is: ________________(month) _________ (year)

3. My age is: __less than 20 years __ 31-40 years __ 56 years+

__21-30 years __ 41-55 years

4. My marital status is:

__Never married __Married __Living together but not married

__Divorced or Separated __Widowed

5. I was born in __________________

(Name of Country)

6. If born outside of the United States: I came to the United States in _________

(Year)

7. My spouse/partner was born in: __________________

(Name of Country)

8. If born outside of the United States: My partner/spouse came to the United States in _________

(Year)

9. The languages spoken in my home are: _______________ _______________

(1st Language) (2nd Language)

10. The number of people living in my household is:

___Adults ___Children

11. The highest education I completed is:

__ None

__ Primary (up to grade 8)

__ Some secondary school (grades 9 to 12, but did not graduate)

__ High school/secondary school diploma (graduated)

__ Some college or university (but did not graduate)

__ College or university degree (graduated from a 4-year college program)

__ Professional degree (PhD., Master’s, legal, or medical)

__ Another degree or certificate

12. I am currently:

__ not employed __working less than 20 hours a week __ working > 20 hours a week

13. My income is: _______________($$ amount) per ____________________ (week/month/year)