TOGETHER: A Couple's Model to Enhance Relationships and Economic Stability

Summary

The current study sought to evaluate an intervention to promote healthy couple relationships and economic stability and mobility for low-income couples living in Northern Virginia (VA) and Montgomery and Prince George's Counties (MD). The approach proposed integrated two components:(1) a 20-hour evidence-informed couple group workshop called TOGETHER that integrates relationship and financial education, followed by an optional three-hour booster session three months after TOGETHER workshop and (2) case management (assessment of participant needs, development of Individual and Couple Development Plan(ICDP), referrals for social and mental health services, and referrals and coordination with job and career enhancement services, linking and coordination of all services as needed). The 20-hour workshop was offered in 8 sessions facilitated by couple and financial experts. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated through a randomized control trial in which couples were randomly assigned to a control group (n=147) or an intervention group (n=145). The control group received no intervention but a three-hour financial workshop after the last assessment was completed whereas the intervention couples participated in the 20-hour interventions and received case management. An independent local evaluator(AVAR, Consulting) participated in the design, implementation, and most of the data analysis. Participants had to be at least 18 years-old, living together for at least a year, and had no severe domestic violence issues, or untreated substance abuse or severe psychiatric disorders. If both partners were retired, couples were excluded from participation. Couples participated in an intake and enrollment meeting and were randomly assigned by a computer generated system to either the intervention or control group. Couples in both groups completed three sets of self-report measures: (1)Pre-test in first workshop session or at intake for control couples, (2)post-test in the last workshop session, or 8 weeks after the pre-test for control couples, and (3)follow-up six months after the post-test. After the six-month follow-up assessment, participation in the program was concluded. The study was largely funded by a Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood grant awarded by the Administration of Children and Families.

Conditions

• No Condition

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Connection to community services through case management

Case managers met with couple and conduct a needs assessment for the couple and their family. Then they developed an Individual and Couple Development Plan to take care of those needs, usually by accessing community services. Case managers met every 5 weeks with the couple to check on progress toward meeting the goals of the plan and assess for the present of any new needs.

BEHAVIORAL

TOGETHER Workshop

Couples were required to participate in a 20 hour workshop (8 sessions of 2 1/2 hours each)in groups of 3 to 8 couples. These groups were facilitated by a financial expert and a couples' expert. The workshop is interdisciplinary and psycho-educational. Couples learn about skills to improve their communication about stress and money problems, conflict resolution, individual and couple stress management in general and about money stress in particular, and financial management

BEHAVIORAL

Employment Support Services

Only for those participants that were in need of employment support services. If the needs assessment conducted by the case manager indicated an employment or career need. After completion of the TOGETHER workshop, an employment case manager met with the participant, conducted an employment needs assessment and connected the participant with a workforce agency or one-stop employment centers. After doing so, the employment case manager followed through the various steps that the participant had to complete as part of the employment services for a period of 6 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Maryland, Baltimore

  collaborator OTHER

• Family Services, Inc.

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• The SkillSource Group, Inc.

  collaborator OTHER

• AVAR Consulting, Inc.

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Mariana K Falconier, PhD · Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2016-07-12

Primary Completion

2019-02-28

Completion

2019-02-28

Countries

• United States

Study Locations