COLUMBIA, Mo., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers are training child welfare professionals and social workers to educate couples about strong relationships and marriages.

David Schramm of the University of Missouri College of Human Environmental Sciences says the training programs give child welfare workers basic tools to foster positive relationships.

The ultimate goal is to improve the stability and well-being of children by helping their parents and caregivers form and maintain strong couple and marital relationships, Schramm says.

"Many parents face multiple stressors that can weaken their couple relationships and spill over into parent-child relationships," Schramm says in a statement. "If social workers can teach parents to be more kind, understanding and respectful in their couple relationships, the result will be safer, happier environments for children."

The curriculum is two-pronged -- a graduate-level course for social work students at University of Missouri and online, and one-day training sessions for child welfare professionals. Both courses give current and prospective social workers simple tools to help parents choose partners, manage conflict and remain committed in their relationships.

"Most social work graduate programs focus on helping children, so the subject of healthy relationships for parents tends to be left out," Schramm says.