Self-helpinterventions for Parenting Couples With Couple Distress.
ConditionMarital Conflict
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorUniversity of Aarhus
About this trial
Children whose parents experience high levels of couple distress are at greater risk for emotional, behavioral, and academic problems. This study tests two types of self-help for parenting couples: the OurRelationship program (OR), an online guided program, and couple-focused bibliotherapy (BT), a book-based self-help approach. The investigators will compare these interventions with a waitlist (WL) control group to see which is most effective at reducing communication conflict between partners. They will also examine whether the interventions improve child well-being when problems are present at the start of the study.
A total of 350 parenting couples in Denmark will take part. Eligible couples have at least one child under 18 living at home and report high levels of conflict or relationship distress. Couples will be randomly assigned to OR, BT, or WL. Questionnaires will be completed online before the program, after the program (10 weeks later), and at 3- and 12-month follow-ups.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Meet at least one of the two following criteria: (1) Destructive conflict: one or both partners report being a victim or perpetrator of at least one act of physical or psychological aggression in the past three months (see
Disqualifiers
Both partners are at least 18 years old.
Cohabiting.
Have at least one child under 18 living at home.
Reside in a participating Danish municipality.
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
The OurRelationship Program
BehavioralA guided self-help program for couples delivered online over 10 weeks. Participants complete structured learning modules and engage in planned couple conversations focused on improving communication, problem-solving, and emotional connection. Each couple receives support from a trained coach through five scheduled telephone or video calls. The program is designed to be flexible and completed at the couple's own pace within the 10-week period.
Bibliotherapy
BehavioralAn unguided self-help program for couples using the Danish book "Take Care of Your Relationship" \[Pas på Parforholdet\] and an accompanying reading guide. Couples are encouraged to read assigned sections, engage in planned couple conversations, and apply strategies for improving relationship functioning. The intervention is self-paced and completed over 10 weeks without guidance from a coach or therapist.
Treatment groups
700 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groupsGroup A: The OurRelationship ProgramExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: BibliotherapyExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: WaitlistNo intervention 0 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Communication Conflict Scale
A 7-item self-report measure assessing how couples handle conflict (e.g., "Small issues suddenly became big arguments"), scored from 1 (Often) to 4 (Never), with higher scores indicating better conflict management. Developed for the Administration for Children and Families Supporting Healthy Marriage Initiative
Time frame
Pre-assessment (T1) to Post Intervention at Week 10 (T2)Secondary outcomes
1
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) - impact score
The 4-item section of the parent-reported SDQ in which the parent assesses the extent to which a child's difficulties cause distress and interfere with everyday life, scored from 0 (Not at all) to 2 (A lot), with higher scores indicating worse impact.
Time frame
Baseline (T1) to Post-intervention at Week 10 (T2)Other outcomes
1
Couple Satisfaction Index-4
A 4-item self-report measure of overall relationship satisfaction, scored from 0 (Not at all / Not at all true) to 5 (Completely / Completely true), with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction.
Time frame
Baseline (T1) to Post-intervention at Week 10 (T2)2
Responsive Attention Scale
A 10-item self-report measure of perceived partner responsiveness, scored from 1 (Very rarely) to 5 (Very often), with higher scores indicating greater responsiveness.
Time frame
Baseline (T1) to Post-intervention at Week 10 (T2)3
Intimate Safety Questionnaire
A 4-item self-report measure of perceived safety and comfort with one's partner, scored from 0 (Never) to 4 (Always), with higher scores indicating greater intimacy.
Time frame
Baseline (T1) to Post-intervention at Week 10 (T2)4
Major Depression Inventory
A 10-item self-report measure of depressive symptoms, scored from 0 (None of the time) to 5 (Always), with higher scores indicating worse symptoms.
Time frame
Baseline (T1) to Post-intervention at Week 10 (T2)Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov