Alan J. Hawkins|Sage E. Erickson
Is couple and relationship education effective for lower income participants? A meta-analytic study.
Brigham Young University|Brigham Young University
negative effects family instability children adults captured attention legislators policymakers wondering something could done help atrisk couples form sustain healthy relationships marriages decade public funds supported grants provide couple relationship education cre lower income individuals couples metaanalytic study reviewed 38 studies 47 independent samples assessing effectiveness cre lower income couples defined twothirds sample twice poverty level attempt inform current policy debates overall effect sizes controlgroup studies suggest cre diverse lower income couples small positive relationship effects overall 061 especially selfreports relationship quality communication aggression somewhat stronger effects studies married couples 091 mostly nearpoor vs poor participants 074 vs fewer participants relationship distress 072 comparison effect sizes controlgroup studies effects onegroupprepost studies larger overall 352 practitioners need continue innovate curriculum design pedagogy improve programmatic elements find ways increase participant engagement achieve greater success limited public funds support cre