In-Person vs Online Relationship Education for Program Modality

Overseen By Braquel R Egginton, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Healthy Relationships California

Disqualifiers: Domestic violence, Drug use, Mental illness, others

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: 12

Duration: 12 weeks

255 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The REFRAME project is designed to offer the R3 Academy for Couples, a robust 24-hour program, to married adults ages 18 and over in the state of California. The R3 Academy is an evidence-based couple relationship education curriculum that helps couples strengthen their relationships with their child, with their spouse, and at work. The program also includes two evidence-based components that address economic stability and an innovative approach to Case Management that fosters client self-direction. The R3 Academy curricula will be delivered in both English and Spanish through two modalities: 1) live classes and 2) livestream classes via a video conferencing platform. The Local Evaluation will examine how modality, or in other words attending a live class versus a livestream class, influences the effectiveness of R3 Academy for Couples program when it comes to changes in couples' marital/relationship satisfaction, conflict management, support and affection, and commitment. The question of modality is a timely one. In the COVID-19 era, many programs have become exclusively online-but the potential impact on effectiveness is not well known. We address this issue by considering the impact on four relationship outcomes: marital/relationship satisfaction, conflict management, support and affection, and commitment. Moreover, one issue that many programs report is that couples have great difficulty finding time to be engaged in regularly scheduled, live, in-person classes. Our study will provide evidence about how the availability of materials in alternative formats, that may allow more couples to be involved and reduce issues around the ability to participate, may influence the efficacy of those programs. RQ1: How do live in-person (control) and online livestream (treatment) Marriage and Relationship Education (MRE) workshops compare on marital/relationship satisfaction outcomes immediately after program completion? RQ2: How do live in-person and online livestream MRE workshops compare on conflict management outcomes immediately after program completion? RQ3: How do live in-person and online livestream MRE workshops compare on support and affection outcomes immediately after program completion? RQ4: How do live in-person and online livestream MRE workshops compare on commitment outcomes immediately after program completion? RQ5: Do program effects last beyond program completion?

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment R3 Academy for Couples?

Research shows that online relationship education programs can significantly improve relationship satisfaction, communication skills, and reduce negative relationship qualities. These programs also help reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms, and improve overall quality of life, suggesting that similar online treatments like R3 Academy for Couples may be effective. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is online relationship education safe for participants?

Research on online relationship education programs shows they can improve relationship satisfaction and individual well-being without any reported safety concerns. ^{1 4 5 6 7}

How is the R3 Academy for Couples treatment different from other relationship education treatments?

The R3 Academy for Couples treatment is unique because it offers both in-person and online relationship education, providing flexibility and accessibility for couples. This approach can be particularly beneficial for low-income couples who may face barriers to attending traditional in-person classes, as online education with individualized coaching has shown meaningful gains in relationship satisfaction and communication. ^{3 4 5 7 8}

Research Team

Kevin Shafer, PhD

Principal Investigator

Brigham Young University

Jason Krafsky

Principal Investigator

Healthy Relationships California

Patty Howell

Principal Investigator

Healthy Relationships California

Dyann Collins

Principal Investigator

Healthy Relationships California

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for couples over 18 living in California who want to improve their relationship. They must apply together and not have active drug use, domestic violence, untreated mental illness, anger issues, or pending legal action.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 18, live in California, and applying with my partner.

Exclusion Criteria

Undiagnosed or untreated mental illness

Anger management issues

Active drug use

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants attend the R3 Academy for Couples program, delivered in either live or livestream modalities, over 12 sessions totaling 24 hours

12 weeks

12 sessions (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in relationship outcomes such as conflict management, commitment, affection, satisfaction, and support 4 months after program completion

4 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• R3 Academy for Couples

Trial Overview The study tests the R3 Academy's effectiveness on marital satisfaction and conflict management by comparing live classes with livestream ones. It aims to see if online formats can match the benefits of in-person learning.

Participant Groups

Group I: Livestream Modality Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The livestream modality is considered the treatment group for the purpose of this quasi-experimental study.

Group II: Live Modality Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The live modality is considered the control group for the purpose of this quasi-experimental study.

R3 Academy for Couples is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as R3 Academy for Couples for:

• Marital/relationship satisfaction improvement
• Conflict management
• Support and affection enhancement
• Commitment strengthening

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Healthy Relationships California

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2

Recruited

770+

Findings from Research

A meta-analysis of 12 studies showed that online relationship education programs significantly improve relationship satisfaction, communication skills, and relationship confidence, while also reducing negative relationship qualities.

At the individual level, these programs help decrease anxiety and depressive symptoms, and enhance overall health satisfaction and quality of life, with no significant differences based on gender or relationship distress levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Online relationship education programs improve individual and relationship functioning: A meta-analytic review. Spencer, CM., Anderson, JR.[2021]

In a study involving 447 couples participating in a relationship education course, it was found that the perception of a partner's need for change significantly impacted the effectiveness of the program, with greater perceived need leading to less positive change in knowledge, communication, and commitment.

The results suggest that aligning partners' perceptions of each other's need for change is crucial for successful outcomes in relationship education, highlighting the importance of addressing these perceptions in RE programming.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"No, It's You:" Dyadic perceived need for change predicts relationship education outcomes. Crapo, JS., Bradford, K., Kopystynska, O., et al.[2023]

Couples who participated in the RELATE + Couple CARE program showed greater improvements in communication and relationship satisfaction over 12 months compared to those who only received the RELATE assessment.

While women benefited more from the additional Couple CARE training, men maintained similar levels of relationship satisfaction in both programs, indicating that skill training can enhance outcomes for couples.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Couple relationship education at home: does skill training enhance relationship assessment and feedback? Halford, WK., Wilson, K., Watson, B., et al.[2015]

Online relationship education programs have been shown to be effective alternatives to traditional marriage education, with studies involving over 2,000 couples demonstrating improvements in relationship satisfaction, communication, and reduced conflict.

The review highlighted two evidence-based programs, ePREP and OurRelationship, which showed significant positive outcomes in both relational and individual functioning, suggesting that online interventions can be a valuable resource for distressed couples.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Effective is Online Couple Relationship Education? A Systematic Meta-Content Review. Megale, A., Peterson, E., Friedlander, ML.[2022]

A study involving 1248 couples aimed to determine the optimal level of coach contact needed for effective web-based relationship education, highlighting the potential for tailored interventions to improve relationship satisfaction.

The research seeks to identify key predictors of adherence and relationship gains, which could help social service programs enhance the delivery of evidence-based relationship health interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Optimizing Coaching During Web-Based Relationship Education for Low-Income Couples: Protocol for Precision Medicine Research. Hatch, SG., Lobaina, D., Doss, BD.[2021]

A study involving 250 clinicians over three months found that both in-person and online training formats for HIV, HCV, and STD education were well-received, with positive evaluations on content and delivery.

Clinicians showed a significant preference for online training over in-person sessions, indicating a shift towards digital learning methods in medical education (p=0.01).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Comparison of In-Person and Online Training in a Statewide Clinical Education Program for Dissemination of HIV, HCV and STD Clinical Evidence. Wang, D.[2023]

Participants in the online weight management program (n = 398) experienced greater reductions in BMI, weight, and waist circumference compared to those in the in-person program (n = 1,313), indicating that online delivery can be highly effective for weight management.

While online participants showed significant improvements in physical metrics, in-person participants reported greater increases in confidence regarding physical activity, suggesting that while online programs are effective, they may not fully replicate the motivational benefits of face-to-face interaction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using synchronous distance-education technology to deliver a weight management intervention. Dunn, C., Whetstone, LM., Kolasa, KM., et al.[2014]

The blended online and in-person training approach for prospective resource parents resulted in significantly greater knowledge gains compared to the traditional classroom-only method, based on a study of 111 participants.

The blended approach also led to much lower dropout rates during training, indicating it may be a more effective and engaging method for prospective resource parents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of Blended Preservice Training for Resource Parents. White, L., Delaney, R., Pacifici, C., et al.[2019]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Online relationship education programs improve individual and relationship functioning: A meta-analytic review. [2021]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"No, It's You:" Dyadic perceived need for change predicts relationship education outcomes. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Couple relationship education at home: does skill training enhance relationship assessment and feedback? [2015]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Effective is Online Couple Relationship Education? A Systematic Meta-Content Review. [2022]

5. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Optimizing Coaching During Web-Based Relationship Education for Low-Income Couples: Protocol for Precision Medicine Research. [2021]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Comparison of In-Person and Online Training in a Statewide Clinical Education Program for Dissemination of HIV, HCV and STD Clinical Evidence. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using synchronous distance-education technology to deliver a weight management intervention. [2014]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of Blended Preservice Training for Resource Parents. [2019]