Abstract
Parenting couples with young children are at risk for relationship problems, which was exacerbated during the pandemic. The current study examines the use of a brief, low-intensity writing intervention that promotes conflict reappraisal strategies to enhance relationship quality. We examine feasibility metrics (i.e., recruitment, eligibility criteria, demographics, retention, adherence, uptake, and acceptability) and pre-post change in couple and family outcomes, with the goal of informing future program iterations. Fifteen couples (n = 30), at elevated risk for relationship difficulties due to their developmental stage (i.e., couples with children <6 years old) and the context (i.e., COVID-19 pandemic), took part in a single-arm, pre-test/post-test study in August – October 2021. Following the completion of baseline surveys, couples independently took part in three conflict reappraisal writing sessions over the course of five weeks. Subsequently, they completed post-test surveys. The sample was diverse: 60.0% of participants identified as being part of a racially minoritized group; 40.0% reported being born outside of Canada; and 13.3% self-identified as LGBTQIA2S+. Adherence, retention, and uptake were good, as was intervention acceptability. Positive change was evident in couple outcomes (relationship quality and responsiveness), in expected directions, with less support for change in family outcomes (parenting and parent mental health). Findings justify a future evaluative randomized controlled trial. In the future, we will aim to increase recruitment efforts and expand participant diversity, with some planned program changes. Clinicaltrials.gov Registration (retroactive): NCT05143437.
Highlights
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Relationships of couples with young children are at risk due to stress following the transition to parenthood and disruptions caused by the pandemic
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We examined the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an intervention that promotes conflict reappraisal for parenting couples
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Feasibility captured our ability to recruit and retain diverse couples from the community, though higher recruitment rates are needed for a larger randomized controlled trial
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A diverse group of participants found the intervention to be acceptable and reported positive changes in couple outcomes
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Next steps include an evaluative randomized controlled trial to assess effectiveness, with efforts targeted towards increasing recruitment rates and minor program adaptations
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to Drs. Dillon Browne, Karen Fergus, and Eli Finkel and community recruitment partners, for their consultation on study design. Thank you to study participants for your time dedicated to the study and for your feedback.
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In-Kind support provided by York University, Faculty of Health, with generic funds provided to the Principal Investigator (H. Prime).
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H.P.: study conceptualization and design, oversight of the development of the study protocol, survey development, recruitment, data collection, data analysis, and initial draft/revisions of the manuscript. A.Mu.: study conceptualization and design, critical review and revision of the manuscript. A.Ma.: coordination of the study, data management and analysis, critical review and revision of the manuscript. L.T.: study conceptualization and design and critical review of the manuscript. M.W.: study conceptualization and design, data analysis consultation, and critical review and revision of the manuscript. All authors have approved the submitted final version of the manuscript and have agreed to be personally accountable for their contributions.
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Prime, H., Muise, A., Markwell, A. et al. Promoting Conflict Reappraisal in Parenting Couples: A Feasibility Study and Preliminary Evaluation of a Brief Writing Intervention. J Child Fam Stud 32, 3042–3054 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-023-02639-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-023-02639-4