title: Four year effects of couple relationship education on low and high satisfaction couples: A randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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, indicated intervention for couples with low satisfaction. The current study evaluated the effect of RE on couples with low and high relationship satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a randomized controlled trial in which 182 couples were randomly assigned to: a book reading control condition (control); RELATE online assessment with feedback and relationship goal setting (RELATE); or RELATE with CoupleCARE (RCC), a flexible delivery skill-based education program. Couples were assessed on relationship satisfaction and individual mental health before and after RE, and through to 4-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Couples with high initial satisfaction showed no effects of RE on satisfaction. RCC but not RELATE increased satisfaction in couples with low initial satisfaction, but effects dissipated between 6 and 12 months after RE. There were no effects of RE on mental health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Flexible delivery RE produces immediate effects as an indicated early intervention for couples with low relationship satisfaction, but the effects attenuate. Future research needs to seek methods to produce better maintained effects. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Queensland.
authors.forename: W Kim
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9645-9147
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Halford
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Queensland.
authors.forename: Riyad H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Rahimullah
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Griffith University.
authors.forename: Keithia L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Griffith University.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Occhipinti
authors.affiliation: School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.
authors.forename: Dean M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Busby
authors.affiliation: School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.
authors.forename: Jeffry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Larson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019546:Couples Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy