ePREP for Relationship Issues

Overseen By Allen Barton

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Disqualifiers: Severe intimate partner violence

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests an online program called ePREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program) to assist couples with their relationships. The program consists of six self-directed online sessions, homework, and brief calls with a coach. It targets couples in Illinois who have been married, engaged, or cohabiting for at least six months and are open to online relationship-focused activities. However, couples experiencing severe intimate partner violence are not eligible. As an unphased trial, this study provides couples with a unique opportunity to enhance their relationships through innovative online resources.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the ePREP intervention is safe for couples?

Research has shown that ePREP, an online version of the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program, is generally safe for participants. Previous studies have focused on its effectiveness rather than any harmful effects. The program includes six online sessions completed independently, with some homework and brief calls with a coach. No reports of serious negative effects have emerged, making it a well-tolerated choice for those seeking to improve their relationships. Since ePREP focuses on relationships, it does not involve drugs or medical procedures, further reducing the risk of physical side effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The ePREP program is unique because it offers an online, self-directed approach to addressing relationship issues, which is different from traditional in-person therapy sessions. This digital format allows for greater flexibility and accessibility, making it easier for individuals to fit the program into their schedules. Additionally, the integration of brief coach calls provides personal support, enhancing the effectiveness of the online sessions. Researchers are excited about ePREP because it could make relationship support more accessible and convenient, potentially reaching a wider audience than traditional methods.

What evidence suggests that ePREP is effective for relationship issues?

Research shows that the ePREP program, which participants in this trial will undergo, can greatly enhance relationship satisfaction for couples. Studies have found that couples in similar programs reported improved communication and problem-solving skills. Even years after completing the program, these couples experienced greater relationship satisfaction. Participants also reported increased feelings of love, respect, and closeness. This evidence suggests that ePREP could help many couples improve their relationship quality. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for couples living in Illinois who are married, engaged, or have been cohabiting for at least six months. Both partners must be willing to engage in an online program aimed at improving their relationship. Couples where one or both partners report severe intimate partner violence are not eligible.

Inclusion Criteria

My partner and I are willing to join online relationship programs.

Resident of Illinois

I have been with my partner for at least 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria

One or both partners reports severe forms of intimate partner violence occurring in the relationship

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in the ePREP program, consisting of 6 self-directed online sessions with accompanying homework and brief coach calls

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in relationship instability, communication conflict, and other measures

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• ePREP

Trial Overview The study is testing the ePREP online intervention designed to enhance marital relationships and address relationship issues. The goal is to see if this program can positively impact couples throughout Illinois.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: ePrep Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The ePREP program is the online version of the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program. It consists of 6 self-directed online sessions and accompanying homework and brief coach calls.

ePREP is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as ePREP for:

• Relationship Education
• Couples Therapy Alternative

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Lead Sponsor

Trials

203

Recruited

40,600+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Couples with higher pre-intervention relationship dissatisfaction showed greater improvements in satisfaction during the 'Hold me Tight' program, supporting the idea that there is more room for improvement in high-risk couples.

Risk factors negatively impacted relationship satisfaction gains during the intervention and follow-up, indicating that vulnerability can hinder the benefits of Couple Relationship Education programs, but specific risk factors varied between self-referred and clinician-referred couples.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do high-risk couples profit more or less from couple relationship education programs than low-risk couples? Room for improvement and vulnerability effects. Conradi, HJ., Noordhof, A., Dingemanse, P., et al.[2023]

Relationship education programs like PREP can help prevent marital distress among newlyweds, but their effectiveness may vary based on individual couple dynamics.

The study found that women who showed extreme increases in positive communication and decreases in negative communication after the program were more likely to experience relationship distress in the following five years, suggesting a need to adapt these programs for better outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-term prediction of marital quality following a relationship education program: being positive in a constructive way. Baucom, DH., Hahlweg, K., Atkins, DC., et al.[2007]

Couples experiencing relationship distress are increasingly attending Couple and Relationship Education (CRE) programs, raising questions about the effectiveness of these programs for this specific group.

The study found that the dosage and duration of participation in CRE programs significantly influence outcomes, suggesting that tailored approaches based on distress levels and time spent in the program are essential for improving effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

It's About Time! Examining Received Dosage and Program Duration as Predictors of Change Among Non-Distressed and Distressed Married Couple and Relationship Education Participants. Bradford, AB., Drean, L., Adler-Baeder, F., et al.[2019]

A study involving 929 couples evaluated the effectiveness of two couple relationship education programs, ELEVATE and Couples Connecting Mindfully (CCM), showing significant improvements in relationship skills, quality, and family harmony over one year compared to a control group.

The ELEVATE program also positively impacted mental health and sleep quality, suggesting that these relationship education programs can provide broad benefits for diverse couples.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Concurrent randomized control trials of the 1-year efficacy of two couple relationship education programs: ELEVATE and Couples Connecting Mindfully. Adler-Baeder, F., McGill, J., Dede Yildirim, E., et al.[2022]

The Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) significantly improved communication skills among couples, leading to higher positive and lower negative communication levels at the 5-year follow-up.

Couples who participated in PREP also reported lower levels of marital violence compared to those in the control group, highlighting the program's effectiveness in promoting healthier relationships.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preventing marital distress through communication and conflict management training: a 4- and 5-year follow-up. Markman, HJ., Renick, MJ., Floyd, FJ., et al.[2019]

The paper introduces an ecological model of couple relationships designed to improve the effectiveness of Couple Relationship Education (RE) programs.

It emphasizes the importance of understanding the mediators of RE effects and suggests future research to identify factors that could enhance the impact of RE on couples managing stress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An ecological model of mediators of change in Couple Relationship Education. Halford, WK., Pepping, CA.[2019]

The ePREP preventive intervention significantly improved mental health and relationship outcomes in a randomized clinical trial with 77 college students, showing its effectiveness over a 10-month follow-up period.

Participants who received the ePREP intervention maintained these benefits even after experiencing relationship dissolution, highlighting the intervention's durability and flexibility in addressing relationship education challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized clinical trial of a computer based preventive intervention: replication and extension of ePREP. Braithwaite, SR., Fincham, FD.[2022]

Online relationship interventions significantly improved relationship satisfaction, conflict resolution, and emotional support among military couples, with effects maintained at follow-up, based on a study of 90 military couples.

Despite lower program completion rates among military couples (57% vs. 71% for civilians), their satisfaction with the program was equally positive, indicating a need for further research to enhance engagement and address issues like intimate partner violence.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of online OurRelationship and ePREP programs for low-income military couples. Georgia Salivar, E., Knopp, K., Roddy, MK., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. acf.gov acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ofa/U_Miami_Impact_Report_0.pdf

Evaluation of OurRelationship and ePREP Online Couple ... OurRelationship and ePREP are two web-based programs that have different structure, content, and empirical basis, but show effectiveness in ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03568565

Automated & Coached Web-based Programs to Improve ... This study investigates the effectiveness of self-help, web-based programs to improve romantic relationships and related outcomes. Couples will be randomly ...

3. nreppadmin.net nreppadmin.net/viewintervention_id_326.html

Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) Couples who received PREP for Strong Bonds showed an increase in positive bonding from pre- to posttest, whereas couples who received no intervention showed a ...

4. kansashealthmatters.org kansashealthmatters.org/promisepractice/index/view?pid=856

Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) Study results include the following: In a long-term study, PREP couples showed greater relationship satisfaction at 1.5 years and 3 years after the intervention ...

5. publish.kne-publishing.com publish.kne-publishing.com/index.php/JHS/article/download/9107/8681/

The Effectiveness of Prevention and Relationship ... This program can increase communication skills, problem-solving skills, love, respect, and intimacy between couples and might lead to a change in attitudes ...

6. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/247839566_ePREP_Computer_Based_Prevention_of_Relationship_Dysfunction_Depression_and_Anxiety

ePREP: Computer Based Prevention of Relationship ... This study evaluated the efficacy of a computer-based relationship focused preventive intervention (ePREP) relative to a depression and ...

7. acf.gov acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ofa/U_Central_FL_Impact_Report.pdf

Six Month Impact Evaluation of Prevention and ... We collected data on individual, couple, and parenting outcomes at baseline, 30, 90, and 180-day follow-ups. Couples assigned to the wait-list ...

8. scholarworks.waldenu.edu scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3525&context=dissertations/1000

Perceived Impact of Prevention and Relationship ... The PREP program also covers the importance of safety in marriage, including safety when talking about important issues (e.g. talking without ...

9. miamidadematters.org miamidadematters.org/promisepractice/index/view?pid=856

Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) PREP aims to help couples maintain high levels of functioning and prevent marital problems from developing.

10. prepinc.com prepinc.com/

PREP Inc. - Prevention and Relationship Education Program ... PREP produces evidence-based resources for educators, programs, and therapists to support their work in helping others have healthy and happy relationships.