Get Better Together for Relationship Issues
(GBT RCT Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests a program designed to help military couples manage stress and improve relationship skills. The goal is to determine if the program can enhance mental health and reduce issues such as alcohol misuse, aggression, and suicide risk. Couples will join one of two groups: one attending a weekend retreat and the other continuing their usual activities with later access to an online program. Couples who have been together for at least six months and include an active-duty military service member may be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for couples to enhance their relationship and mental well-being.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on relationship education rather than medication use.
What prior data suggests that the Get Better Together program is safe for military couples?
Research has shown that the Get Better Together program helps military couples manage stress, improve communication, and reduce conflict. As a relationship education program, it is safe for participants. No medical treatments or drugs are involved, so there are no reports of negative effects or side effects. Participants engage in activities like group discussions and skill-building exercises, which are generally manageable.
This program does not involve taking medicines or undergoing medical procedures. Instead, it focuses on teaching skills to strengthen relationships and support mental health. As a structured educational retreat, it does not carry the usual safety concerns associated with medical trials.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
"Get Better Together" is unique because it offers a concentrated, in-person weekend retreat specifically designed for couples facing relationship issues, particularly in military populations. Unlike standard therapy options that often involve weekly sessions over several months, this program provides an intensive 10-hour curriculum that equips couples with evidence-informed strategies to tackle stress, improve emotion regulation, and reduce conflict as a team. Researchers are excited about this approach because it combines didactic learning, videos, group discussions, and practical skill exercises tailored to the unique needs of military couples, potentially offering quicker and more relevant support than traditional methods.
What evidence suggests that the Get Better Together program is effective for improving relationship skills and mental health in military couples?
Research has shown that the "Get Better Together" program, which participants in this trial may receive, can help military couples by improving their mental health and relationship skills. It aims to reduce issues such as alcohol misuse, aggression, and the risk of suicide. Studies have found that similar programs can quickly increase relationship satisfaction. The program teaches skills like managing emotions and effective communication, which are crucial for handling stress as a team. These methods are specifically designed for military couples, making them particularly beneficial for this group.12467
Who Is on the Research Team?
Sarah Carter, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for military couples struggling with emotional regulation, alcohol issues, suicidal thoughts, marital discord or domestic violence. They must be willing to attend a weekend retreat and complete surveys over a 6-month period.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants attend the Get Better Together weekend retreat, receiving approximately 10 hours of structured curriculum focused on stress coping, emotion regulation, and conflict reduction.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for mental health and relationship skills improvement, with surveys conducted at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 months.
Control Group Access to ePREP
Control group participants receive access to an online relationship education program after the 6-month follow-up period.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Get Better Together
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine
Lead Sponsor
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Collaborator