A Brief Internet-Based Passive Psychoeducation Intervention to Promote Healthy Relationships Among Young Adults: A Pilot Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract

This pilot randomized controlled trial tested the potential efficacy of a brief internet-based, passive psychoeducation intervention, Free From Abuse, in promoting healthy relationships among young adults. Participants aged 18 to 24 years were randomly assigned to an intervention treatment (n = 71) or a placebo control condition (n = 77). Participants in the treatment arm had a larger increase in recognition of abusive behavior and reduction in domestic violence myth acceptance scores than participants in the control arm postintervention and after one week. This study provides preliminary evidence that brief internet-based passive psychoeducation is potentially useful in promoting healthy relationships among young adults.

Keywords: internet-based intervention; intimate partner violence; passive psychoeducation; pilot randomized placebo-controlled trial; young adults.