A randomized controlled trial of the web-based OurRelationship program: Effects on relationship and individual functioning

Abstract

Objective: Within the United States, one third of married couples are distressed and almost half of first marriages (and more than half of unmarried cohabiting relationships) end in divorce/separation. Additionally, relationship distress has been linked to mental and physical health problems in partners and their children. Although couple therapy is effective in reducing relationship distress, it is utilized by less than one third of divorcing couples. Therefore, more accessible interventions for relationship distress are needed.

Method: This study tests the efficacy of the OurRelationship program, an 8-hr online program adapted from an empirically based, in-person couple therapy. In the program, couples complete online activities and have 4 15-min calls with project staff. Nationwide, 300 heterosexual couples (N = 600 participants) participated; couples were generally representative of the US in terms of race, ethnicity, and education. Couples were randomly assigned to begin the program immediately or to a 2-month waitlist control group.

Results: Compared to the waitlist group, intervention couples reported significant improvements in relationship satisfaction (Cohen's d = 0.69), relationship confidence (d = 0.47), and negative relationship quality (d = 0.57). Additionally, couples reported significant improvements in multiple domains of individual functioning, especially when individuals began the program with difficulties in that domain: depressive (d = 0.71) and anxious symptoms (d = 0.94), perceived health (d = 0.51), work functioning (d = 0.57), and quality of life (d = 0.44).

Conclusions: In a nationally representative sample of couples, the OurRelationship program was effective in significantly improving both relationship and individual functioning, suggesting it can substantially increase the reach of current interventions through its low-cost, Web-based format.

Figure 1. CONSORT Diagram

^aNumbers do not sum to 1,316 because some individuals were ineligible for multiple reasons.

Figure 2. Between-Group Effect Sizes for Relationship Outcomes

Note N = 594 individuals for whom there was at least two assessments.

Figure 3. Between-Group Effect Sizes for Individual Outcomes

Note: With and Without Initial Difficulties are participants who did / did not meet a clinical or problematic cutoff on that measure at the initial assessment. In these subsamples, effect sizes were calculated by dividing by the subsample SD (to facilitate comparisons to clinical and non-clinical samples). All Participants N = 570 with both pre- and post-intervention data; With Initial Difficulties N = 250 to 388; Without Initial Difficulties N = 217–320.