School of Psychology, University of Queensland.
School of Psychology, Griffith University.
J Consult Clin Psychol. 2017 May;85(5):495-507. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000181. Epub 2017 Mar 13.
Relationship education (RE) usually is conceived of as relationship enhancement for currently satisfied couples, with a goal of helping couples sustain satisfaction. However, RE also might be useful as a brief, indicated intervention for couples with low satisfaction. The current study evaluated the effect of RE on couples with low and high relationship satisfaction.
The study was a randomized controlled trial in which 182 couples were randomly assigned to: a book reading control condition (control); RELATE online assessment with feedback and relationship goal setting (RELATE); or RELATE with CoupleCARE (RCC), a flexible delivery skill-based education program. Couples were assessed on relationship satisfaction and individual mental health before and after RE, and through to 4-year follow-up.
Couples with high initial satisfaction showed no effects of RE on satisfaction. RCC but not RELATE increased satisfaction in couples with low initial satisfaction, but effects dissipated between 6 and 12 months after RE. There were no effects of RE on mental health.
Flexible delivery RE produces immediate effects as an indicated early intervention for couples with low relationship satisfaction, but the effects attenuate. Future research needs to seek methods to produce better maintained effects. (PsycINFO Database Record
关系教育（RE）通常被视为对目前满意的夫妇进行关系增强，旨在帮助夫妇维持满意度。然而，RE 也可能对满意度较低的夫妇作为一种简短的、有针对性的干预措施有用。本研究评估了 RE 对低满意度和高满意度夫妇的影响。
这是一项随机对照试验，其中 182 对夫妇被随机分配到：阅读书籍对照组（对照）；RELATE 在线评估、反馈和关系目标设定（RELATE）；或 RELATE 与 CoupleCARE（RCC），一种灵活的基于技能的教育计划。在 RE 之前、之后以及 4 年随访期间，对夫妇的关系满意度和个体心理健康进行评估。
初始满意度高的夫妇，RE 对满意度没有影响。RCC 而非 RELATE 提高了初始满意度低的夫妇的满意度，但在 RE 后 6 至 12 个月时效果减弱。RE 对心理健康没有影响。
灵活的 RE 作为一种针对低关系满意度夫妇的早期干预措施，可以产生即时效果，但效果会减弱。未来的研究需要寻求产生更好维持效果的方法。
