This study investigates the effectiveness of a program to strengthen the relationships of disadvantaged expectant couples, and to increase co-parenting, father involvement, and economic stability. Couples are randomly assigned to Family Expectations or a control group, and assessed at baseline and one year.
The birth of a child can trigger relationship distress and dissolution. Family Expectations (FE) targets the transition to parenthood as a critical time to help couples focus on family success. Regardless of whether couples are married or unmarried, the goal of FE is to strengthen relationships and advance the well-being of economically disadvantaged couples who are expecting a baby or who are new parents, and to improve the lives of their children. The FE program, including the Becoming Parents (BP) curriculum and supplemental services, is designed to address specific risk factors that affect individual family members and the relationships among them, and to build protective factors that help families avoid, minimize, or manage risks (e.g., individual maladaptation \[mother, father, child\], couple relationship difficulties, parenting difficulties, and economic insufficiency). A total of 1,355 couples will be randomly assigned to either Family Expectations (n = 813; 60%) or an untreated control group (n = 542; 40%). Once assigned, participants in the study will complete baseline questions by survey. Those assigned to the FE track will be scheduled for services with the FE intervention team and the control group will not receive the FE intervention. Members of the intervention and control groups will be surveyed both before they are randomly assigned and 12 months later. The study will examine if the Family Expectations program is associated with improved outcomes on relationship quality, stability, parenting quality, father involvement, child wellbeing, and hopefulness about employment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
2,640
Relationship education and referral services for expectant couples.
Public Strategies
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Relationship adjustment
This outcome will be measured by a composite of measures to relationship quality (support and affection, global relationship satisfaction, and confidence in the future of the relationship). Respondents will self-report using survey methods.
Time frame: Baseline and 1 year post baseline (to assess change over time). Change (or maintenance) relative to control group will be assessed across the two time points.
Relationship stability
Couple remains romantically involved. Self-reported by survey methods.
Time frame: 1 year post baseline
Individual wellbeing
Symptoms of depression and anxiety. Respondents will self-report using survey methods.
Time frame: Baseline and 1 year post baseline. Change (or maintenance) relative to control group will be assessed across the two time points.
Co-parenting quality
The quality of the co-parenting relationship between the expectant partners will be self-reported using survey methods.
Time frame: 1 year post baseline.
Child outcomes
Infant temperament and wellbeing will be assessed by parent self-report using survey methods.
Time frame: 1 year post baseline.
Interaction quality
This outcome will be measured by a composite of measures that assess communication and conflict management abilities (communication skills, constructive conflict management, destructive conflict management). Respondents will self-report using survey methods.
Time frame: Baseline and 1 year post baseline. Change (or maintenance) relative to control group will be assessed across the two time points.
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Changes in Income
Income will be measured by self-report using survey methods.
Time frame: Baseline and 1 year post baseline. Change relative to control group will be assessed across the two time points.