Citation

Roddy MK, Nowlan KM, Doss BD. Fam. Process 2016; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Family Process Institute, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/famp.12262

PMID

27859100

Abstract

The negative impacts of relationship distress on the couple, the family, and the individual are well-known. However, couples are often unable to access effective treatments to combat these effects-including many couples who might be at highest risk for relationship distress. Online self-help interventions decrease the barriers to treatment and provide couples with high quality, research-based programs they can do on their own. Using a combined multiple baseline and randomized design, the present study investigated the effectiveness of the Brief OurRelationship.com (Brief-OR) program with and without staff support in improving relationship distress and individual functioning.

RESULTS indicated the program produced significant gains in several areas of relationship functioning; however, these gains were smaller in magnitude than those observed in Full-OR. Furthermore, effects of Brief-OR were not sustained over follow-up. Comparisons between couples randomized to Brief-OR with and without contact with a staff coach indicated that coach contact significantly reduced program noncompletion and improved program effects. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

© 2016 Family Process Institute.

Language: en