title: Immediate effect of couple relationship education on low-satisfaction couples: a randomized clinical trial plus an uncontrolled trial replication.
abstract: Couple relationship education (RE) usually is conceived of as relationship enhancement for currently satisfied couples, with a goal of helping couples sustain satisfaction. However, RE also might be useful as a brief, accessible intervention for couples with low satisfaction. Two studies were conducted that tested whether couples with low relationship satisfaction show meaningful gains after RE. Study 1 was a three-condition randomized controlled trial in which 182 couples were randomly assigned to RELATE with Couple CARE (RCC), a flexible delivery education program for couples, or one of two control conditions. Couples with initially low satisfaction receiving RCC showed a moderate increase in relationship satisfaction (d=0.50) relative to the control. In contrast, couples initially high in satisfaction showed little change and there was no difference between RCC and the control conditions. Study 2 was an uncontrolled trial of the Couple Coping Enhancement Training (CCET) administered to 119 couples. Couples receiving CCET that had initially low satisfaction showed a moderate increase in satisfaction (g=.44), whereas initially highly satisfied couples showed no change. Brief relationship education can assist somewhat distressed couples to enhance satisfaction, and has potential as a cost-effective way of enhancing the reach of couple interventions.
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland. Electronic address: K.Halford@psy.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kim Halford
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pepping
authors.affiliation: University of Zurich.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hilpert
authors.affiliation: University of Zurich.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bodenmann
authors.affiliation: Griffith University.
authors.forename: Keithia L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Busby
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University.
authors.forename: Jeffry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Holman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: couple relationship; relationship distress; relationship education