Examining the Effects of Relationship Education for Same-Sex Couples: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

Relationship education programs are designed to enhance a variety of relationship characteristics related to building knowledge and skills for healthy relationships. Same-sex couples represent a high-risk group that would benefit from relationship education based on unique challenges such as heterosexist discrimination that impact relationships and the mental health of individuals who identity as sexual minorities. The aim of this investigation was to examine the efficacy of relationship education on improving dyadic coping, emotional regulation, and psychological distress for same-sex couples (N = 52) who were enrolled in a randomized control trial testing PREP’s Within Our Reach. Results indicate significant positive effects on individual distress symptoms for couples assigned to the intervention. Implications and suggestions for future research are provided.

Keywords:

• couples
• randomized trial
• relationship education
• same-sex

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Grant no. 90FM0078. 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.