CompletedNot Applicable

The Supporting Healthy Marriage Evaluation

United States6,298 participantsStarted 2007-02

Plain-language summary

The Supporting Healthy Marriage (SHM) evaluation was launched in 2003 to test the effectiveness of a skills-based relationship education program designed to help low- and modest-income married couples strengthen their relationships and to support more stable and more nurturing home environments and more positive outcomes for parents and their children. The evaluation was led by MDRC with Abt Associates and other partners, and it was sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families, in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SHM was a voluntary, year long, marriage education program for lower-income, married couples who had children or were expecting a child. The program provided group workshops based on structured curricula; supplemental activities to build on workshop themes; and family support services to address participation barriers, connect families with other services, and reinforce curricular themes. The study's random assignment design compared outcomes for families who were offered SHM's services with outcomes for a similar group of families who were not but could access other services in the community.

Who can participate

Age range18 Years

SexALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * To be eligible for the study, couples were supposed to be low income, married, at least 18 years old, and either expecting a child or parents of a child under age 18 who was living in their home -- though couples were not required to provide any documentation verifying that they met these eligibility criteria. * They also had to understand one of the languages in which SHM services were offered (English or, in some locations, Spanish). Exclusion Criteria: * Indication of domestic violence in the relationship

What they're measuring

Percent Married at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Couples' average report of relationship happiness at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Either spouse reported marriage in trouble at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Reports of warmth and support at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Reports of positive communication skills at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Reports of negative behavior and emotions at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Neither spouse reported infidelity at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Reports of psychological abuse at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02112058

SponsorMDRC

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2012-07

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Marital Relationships trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range18 Years

SexALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Percent Married at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Couples' average report of relationship happiness at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Either spouse reported marriage in trouble at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Reports of warmth and support at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Reports of positive communication skills at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Reports of negative behavior and emotions at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Neither spouse reported infidelity at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months

Reports of psychological abuse at 12 Months

Timeframe: 12 months