Randomized controlled trial of the Marriage Checkup: Stress outcomes

• DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12620
• Publication Date: 2022-12-16T18:53:42Z
• Authors: Astrid B. Leth‐Ni...; Hanne N. Fentz; Tea L. Trillingsg...; Gertraud Stadler
• Keywords: Psychological Distress

Several couple interventions targeting relationship distress also show beneficial effects on individual mental health. Yet, strikingly few studies report perceived stress. This study examined the of a brief intervention, Marriage Checkup (MC), We randomly assigned 231 couples to receive two MCs (Weeks 7 and 51) or waitlist control. Survey data were collected at seven time points over 2 years analyzed using multilevel models. found no significant between-group treatment average stress any point. However, women, but not men, in intervention group experienced decreased after second MC (d = -0.23) more women (26.5%) compared with control (14.9%) reliable improvements MC. Overall, did result main caused temporary change terms relief for women.