Lessons from the field: Developing and piloting a CRE program for couples with chronic illnesses

Objective

In this Lessons from the Field, we describe results and lessons learned from a pilot study of the Healthy We, Healthy Us: Becoming Partners in Health program (HWHU), an online, six-session couple relationship education program for couples managing a chronic illness.

Background

Although couple relationship education (CRE) programs exist for relationship distress, no programs target health and health management, despite literature suggesting that dyadic health management and communal coping improves health outcomes.

Experience

A total of nine couples enrolled in a virtual, biweekly program over Zoom from March 2020 to August 2020 (ages ranged from 23 to 56 years and relationship length from 10 months to 27.5 years). Program assessments were collected pre- and postprogram and analyzed via paired samples t tests. Programmatic feedback questions were also collected postprogram.

Conclusion

Results indicated favorable trends for improvements in relationship quality, individual health behaviors, and health-focused relational processes. Participants reported that sleep and mindfulness aspects changed the most and relayed important feedback for future programming.

Implications

These results suggest initial support for the HWHU program applied to couples across disease contexts. As rates of chronic illnesses continue to skyrocket, approaches are needed that address relationship dynamics around disease management and focus on systemic health behavior change. CRE programs offer a novel and group-based approach to target both lifestyle and relational intervention.