Individual-Oriented Relationship Education: Exploring Adverse Childhood Experiences as a Moderator of Individual Distress Outcomes

Abstract

Indicators of social and economic risk moderate outcomes of couple-formats of relationship education (RE); yet, less is known about moderators of individual-oriented formats or risk associated with childhood adversity. Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) influence well-being including relational, physical, and mental health. The current study examined the influence of ACE for changes in distress for participants (N = 223) who completed an individual-oriented RE intervention. Results demonstrate ACE as a significant moderator of change, where the ‘four or more’ ACE group reported the highest distress at baseline and benefited most. Implications for RE practice and research are discussed.

Keywords:

• Couple and Relationship Education (CRE)
• Psycho-Education
• Adverse childhood experiences
• low-income couples
• Multicultural Issues in Couple Therapy
• health and well-being
• Medical Issues in Couple Therapy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Data collected with support from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, grant: 90FM0039-01-00. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of US DHHS, Office of Family Assistance.

Notes on contributors

Naomi J. Wheeler

Naomi J. Wheeler and Lindsay A. Kozachuk, Department of Counseling and Special Education at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Sandy-Ann M. Griffith

Sandy-Ann M. Griffith, Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.

Shaywanna Harris

Shaywanna Harris, Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology at Texas State University.

Lindsay A. Kozachuk

Naomi J. Wheeler and Lindsay A. Kozachuk, Department of Counseling and Special Education at Virginia Commonwealth University.