Couple variables predicting retention in a brief intervention and research
Bibliographic Data
Therapy is an effective form of treatment for couple distress; yet, research shows that 20%–60% of couples terminate treatment prematurely. Predictors of couple retention in therapy and research are unclear, particularly for couples from marginalized populations, which has important implications for the quality and generalizability of research results, and the benefits derived from therapy are limited when participants are not retained. The purpose of this study ( N = 1310) was to identify couple‐level variables that predict (1) retention in a brief, two‐session couple intervention (The Relationship Checkup) delivered as a home visitation program and (2) retention in research participation at 1‐ and 6‐month follow‐up. Hypotheses were tested using a two‐level multi‐level model. Couples are significantly less likely to be retained in the brief intervention if (1) at least one partner identifies as Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American, (2) at least one partner identifies as Hispanic/Latinx, or (3) both partners report mental or emotional health as a concern in their relationship. Couples are significantly less likely to be retained in research if (1) at least one partner identifies as Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American (1 month only), (2) at least one partner identifies as Hispanic/Latinx (1 and 6 months), (3) if either partner reports clinically significant relationship distress at baseline (1 and 6 months), or (4) if either partner reports relationship aggression at baseline (6 months only). These findings are discussed with relevance to clinicians and researchers to recruit and retain more diverse and marginalized participants in couple interventions and follow‐up research
Developmental psychology · Distress · Generalizability theory · Intervention (counseling) · Mental health · Pacific islanders · Population · Psychiatry · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Clinical Psychology · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology
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| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2023 - 2025 (3) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |