Supporting Healthy Relationships Program for Relationship Improvement

(FRAMEWorks Trial)

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Traci Maynigo, PsyD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Montefiore Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Intimate partner violence

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Supporting Healthy Relationships program in improving relationship and parenting skills, whether delivered in person or over Zoom. Researchers seek to determine if couples can still learn and enhance their relationships through virtual sessions. The trial invites married or unmarried couples with children under 18 or expecting, and with an income below 200% of the poverty line, to participate. As an unphased trial, it offers couples the chance to enhance their relationships and parenting skills with flexible participation options.

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 prior data suggests that the Supporting Healthy Relationships program is safe for participants?

Research has shown that the Supporting Healthy Relationships (SHR) program helps families by improving relationship and parenting skills. The program is available in two formats: in-person and online through Zoom. No reports of problems or safety issues have emerged with either option.

The SHR program aims to strengthen family bonds and improve communication. As a relationship education program, not a medical treatment, it carries very low safety risks. Participants engage in workshops and activities focused on building relationships, which are generally well-received.

In summary, both the in-person and virtual SHR formats are considered safe. Past participants have not reported any negative effects from the program. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Supporting Healthy Relationships program because it offers a flexible approach to relationship improvement that accommodates different needs and preferences. Unlike traditional therapy or counseling, which typically requires in-person sessions, this program provides both in-person and virtual options via Zoom, making it accessible for people with busy schedules or those living in remote areas. This adaptability not only broadens participation but also allows researchers to study the effectiveness of different delivery methods in fostering healthy relationships.

What evidence suggests that the Supporting Healthy Relationships program is effective for improving relationship skills?

Research has shown that the Supporting Healthy Relationships (SHR) program positively affects couples' happiness and satisfaction in their relationships. Studies found that couples who joined the program communicated better and argued less. The program also helped them learn and use healthy relationship skills. Although results varied, a clear trend of better outcomes emerged for participants. In this trial, participants will receive the SHR program either in person or online. Regardless of the format, the SHR program aims to strengthen families by improving relationship and parenting skills. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Scott Wetzler, PhD

Principal Investigator

Montefiore Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for couples, either married or unmarried, who are over 18 years old with children under 18 (or expecting) and have an income below twice the poverty level. Couples with active intimate partner violence or at high risk of such violence cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Must have custodial children (biological, foster, adopted) under the age of 18 (or expectant parents)

Income below 200% of poverty level.

I am 18 or older and in a committed relationship.

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently experiencing or at risk of intimate partner violence.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive the relationship education intervention virtually via Zoom or in person, focusing on improving relationship skills, parenting skills, and financial support for children.

12 weeks

Weekly virtual or in-person workshops

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in relationship satisfaction, emotional intelligence, and co-parenting relationships.

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Supporting Healthy Relationships program

Trial Overview

The SHR FRAMEWorks program aims to strengthen families in the Bronx by teaching relationship and parenting skills and enhancing financial support for children. The study tests how effective the program is when delivered virtually via Zoom.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Virtual (Zoom) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will complete their intake process in person, but will complete all workshops virtually through Zoom.

Group II: In Person Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive all services in person, including participating in the initial intake process, and attending all workshops.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Montefiore Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

468

Recruited

599,000+

Children's Bureau - Administration for Children and Families

Collaborator

Trials

23

Recruited

40,900+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The current societal and institutional climate supports a partnership model between patients and healthcare providers, which can enhance the effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

Transforming a bariatric surgery preparation program into a collaborative approach emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs of both patients and health providers, addressing power dynamics, and defining the skills necessary for effective patient partnership.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Start to collaborate with partner patients : an evidence?] Somers, F., Lasserre Mouttet, A., Joly, C., et al.[2020]

Engaging in discussions about challenging relationship patterns, known as Relationship Pattern Labeling (RPL), led to significant improvements in intimacy, acceptance, and relationship satisfaction among participants.

The study provides preliminary evidence that RPL can be effectively integrated into existing interventions and suggests its potential for use in independent online programs to promote healthier relationships.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The influence of relationship pattern labeling on intimacy, acceptance, and relationship satisfaction. Rice, J., McTernan, M., Cordova, J.[2023]

Improving the patient-provider relationship is crucial for enhancing service quality in healthcare organizations, as it influences patient satisfaction across various service encounters.

The study presents a relationship-building framework that integrates service quality issues among different healthcare stakeholders, suggesting that strong bonds between patients and providers can lead to better overall healthcare experiences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relationships building. Measure service quality across health care encounters. Peltier, JW., Boyt, T., Schibrowsky, JA.[2004]

The Healthy Relationships (HR) intervention is being adapted into a culturally relevant program called Speaking Out & Allying Relationships for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) living with HIV in South Africa, focusing on improving treatment adherence and safer sex practices.

The adaptation process includes integrating education on Undetectable=Untransmittable and pre-exposure prophylaxis, utilizing technology for delivery, and assessing the intervention's feasibility through pilot testing with GBMSM and healthcare providers, aiming to enhance communication about HIV treatment and prevention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Skills-Based HIV Serostatus Disclosure Intervention for Sexual Minority Men in South Africa: Protocol for Intervention Adaptation and a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Daniels, J., Peters, RPH., Medina-Marino, A., et al.[2022]

In Australia, government-supported relationship education programs are generally well-received by couples, indicating a positive perception of their value.

However, there is a need for these programs to better target high-risk couples and for more research to assess the long-term effects of relationship education on marriage outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Couple relationship education in Australia. Halford, WK., Simons, M.[2019]

Patients have valuable insights that can help healthcare providers design better programs to meet their needs and improve outcomes, but there are challenges in fostering a culture of patient partnerships.

Leadership must take specific actions, such as setting clear expectations and providing education, to create environments that support effective patient engagement in healthcare decision-making.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Leadership and Organizational Context Required to Support Patient Partnerships. O'Connor, P., Di Carlo, M., Rouleau, JL.[2019]

The program educates nurses on Relationship & Results Oriented Healthcare concepts, aiming to enhance both patient and staff satisfaction.

By implementing this program, the goal is to reduce nurse turnover, which can improve overall healthcare quality and stability in the workforce.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of incorporating a patient-centered care model. Orn, M.[2018]

The University Hospitals of Geneva successfully established a partnership culture by studying existing collaborations between patients and healthcare professionals, leading to a structured relational approach based on mutual respect and expertise.

Over two years, the initiative facilitated 67 meetings and involved 510 patients, demonstrating that sustained exchanges between patients and professionals benefit both parties and can be adapted to other healthcare institutions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[A relational approach to partnership between patients and professionals : design and implementation]. Touveneau, S., Benichou, A., Geissbuhler, A., et al.[2019]

The Agapé smartphone app, designed for relationship enhancement, showed high engagement among 405 couples, with 99% completing an average of 27 daily prompts, indicating its feasibility and acceptability as a self-directed intervention.

Participants reported significant improvements in relationship quality and individual well-being, with 80% noting better relationships and 70% feeling enhanced personal well-being, particularly when they engaged more with the app's prompts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Connection at your fingertips: A first look at the Agapé app's contributions to healthy relationships. Rogge, RD., Macri, JA., Okwudili, K.[2023]

Relationship Competence Training (RCT) is a new framework designed to help families improve their ability to support each other during difficult times, which can enhance overall family health.

RCT also serves as a valuable tool for healthcare providers to address 'compassion fatigue' by promoting mental health and continuity of care in challenging healthcare settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rebuilding Family Relationship Competencies as a Primary Health Intervention. Reiss-Brennan, B., Oppenheim, D., Kirstein, JL.[2023]

Citations

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Since 2007, Montefiore Medical Center's Supporting Healthy Relationships program has served thousands of couples in the Bronx, NY. There is a ...

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sciencedirect.com

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The overarching objective for the Supporting Health Relationships (SHR) program is to create and sustain families in the Bronx by improving ...

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withpower.com

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Supporting Healthy Relationships Program for ...

Participants receive the relationship education intervention virtually via Zoom or in person, focusing on improving relationship skills, parenting skills, and ...

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Supporting Healthy Relationships Program for FRAMEWorks

The study will explore how effective it is to deliver this program virtually through Zoom, looking at whether participating couples see improvements in their ...