Relationship Education:Project Harmony

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of relationship education (RE) for individuals and couples participating in Project Harmony.

Detailed Description
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Although considerable research supports the positive effects of relationship education (RE) on relationship satisfaction and communication skills, the majority of existing research designs have favored pre/post or quasi-experimental designs. Furthermore, gaps in the empirical bases for RE remain regarding programmatic moderators that influence change. Consequently, there has been less emphasis on understanding which program elements contribute to positive change within couple relationships. To this end, Project Harmony seeks to conduct an impact local evaluation design utilizing a randomized control trial (RCT) to assess the effectiveness of relationship education between low income, ethnically diverse individuals and couples in the treatment group compared to the wait-list control group. Secondary research questions are focused on investigating mechanisms and moderators of change for the target population. Participants (individuals and couples) in Project Harmony will be randomly assigned to either the treatment or wait-list control group.

Official Title
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A Randomized Control Trial of Relationship Education: Project Harmony

Conditions
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Healthy Marriage

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Healthy Marriage Program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Individuals and couples who are at least 18 years of age. Exclusion Criteria: Does not meet the inclusion criteria

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Healthy Marriage: Treatment<br>Intervention: Behavioral: Healthy Marriage Program | Behavioral: Healthy Marriage Program<br>* Provide the following allowable activities 1) marriage and relationship education/skills, 2) relationship enhancement, 3) premarital education, and 4) divorce reduction.<br>|
| Experimental: Healthy Marriage: Wait-list Control<br>Intervention: Behavioral: Healthy Marriage Program | Behavioral: Healthy Marriage Program<br>* Provide the following allowable activities 1) marriage and relationship education/skills, 2) relationship enhancement, 3) premarital education, and 4) divorce reduction.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1200 participants with relational and interpersonal stressors | The primary research question for the proposed investigation is: What are the effects of relationship education on relationship satisfaction (as measured by the Dyadic Adjustment Scale); between participants who received the intervention (treatment group) as compared with participants who did not immediately receive the intervention (wait-list control group)? | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1200 participants with relational and interpersonal stressors | What are the effects of relationship education on dyadic coping (as measured by the Dyadic Coping Inventory); between participants who received the intervention (treatment group) as compared with participants who did not immediately receive the intervention (wait-list control group)? | 6 months |