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Symposia

Couples / Close Relationships

Impacts of Relationship Education Delivered Through Community Partnerships to Couples from Various Minoritized and Marginalized Backgrounds

1 - (SYM 15) Evaluation of Becoming ONE: Effectiveness of a Community-based Relationship Education Program for Black Couples

Friday, November 21, 2025
5:06 PM - 5:27 PM CST
Location: Imperial 9, Level 4
Keywords: Community-Based, Couples / Close Relationships, Psychoeducation
Recommended Readings: Hawkins, A. J., Hokanson, S., Loveridge, E., Milius, E., Duncan, M., Booth, M., & Pollard, B. (2022). How effective are ACF-funded couple relationship education programs? A meta-analytic study. Family process, 61(3), 970–985. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12739,   Stanley, S. M., Barton, A. W., Ritchie, L. L., Allen, M. O., & Rhoades, G. K. (2023). The Stable Low‐Conflict Index: A policy‐relevant outcome in government‐funded relationship education efforts. Family Relations, 72(5), 2647-2663.,   Lavner, J. A., Karney, B. R., & Bradbury, T. N. (2015). New directions for policies aimed at strengthening low-income couples. Behavioral Science & Policy, 1(2), 13-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/237946151500100203,   ,  
Abstract Body

Black and African American couples experience many barriers to receiving relationship education resources, and programming tailored for these couples has shown mixed results (Williamson, 2023, Hammett et al., 2021). This population also experiences a number of physical and relational health disparities, driven by social and economic factors. This study examined whether a preventative evidence-based couple relationship education (PREP 8.0) paired with financial well-being education (Money Smart) delivered through a community organization (Agape Child & Family Services) improved romantic relationship health and individual wellbeing, in particular for Black and African American families in the Memphis, Tennessee area.

Participants (N = 510 individuals, 225 couples, Mean age = 44.61, 91% Black or African American, 98.9% married, 34.9% reporting income at or below 150% of the federal poverty line) were drawn from the Memphis, Tennessee area. Participants self-reported on a) relationship confidence, b) destructive conflict, c) positive communication, and d) individual well-being before and after participating in the program. Participants completed surveys at baseline and upon 6-months follow-up.

92.5% of participants completed the full Becoming ONE program. Mixed linear models that accounted for nested (dyadic) data showed a significant reduction in destructive conflict (p < .001, d = 0.23), improvement in positive communication skills (p < .001, d = 0.27), and improvement in overall wellbeing (p < .001, d = 0.25) from baseline to 6-months follow-up. Participants did not show significant improvements in relationship confidence (p = .26, d = 0.07).

Becoming ONE shows promise in improving individual and relationship health in a primarily Black, married, lower income sample. Attendance was high, demonstrating the feasibility of incorporating evidence-based relationship education in a community setting (e.g., churches). These results suggest the program is both feasible and effective for this population, and they show the strength of programming focused on communication skills with financial coaching to improve relationships.