A randomized waitlist-controlled trial of culturally sensitive relationship education for male same-sex couples.

Abstract

Relationship education, effective in improving relationship quality among different-sex couples, represents a promising and nonstigmatizing approach to promoting the health and stability of same-sex couples. A new culturally sensitive relationship education program was developed specifically for male same-sex couples, which includes adaptations of evidence-based strategies to build core relationship skills (e.g., communication skills training) and newly developed content to address unique challenges faced by this group (e.g., discrimination; low social support). A small randomized waitlist-control trial (N = 20 couples) was conducted to evaluate the program. To assess program efficacy, dyadic longitudinal data (collected at pre- and postprogram and 3-month follow-up) were analyzed using multilevel models that accounted for nonindependence in data from indistinguishable dyads. Results indicated significant program effects in comparison to waitlist controls on couple constructive and destructive communication, perceived stress, and relationship satisfaction. Gains in each of these areas were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Although there was no evidence of within-person program effects on social support, satisfaction, or relationship instability immediately postprogram, all 3 showed within-person improvements by follow-up. Ratings of program satisfaction were high. In summary, study findings support the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of the program and highlight the potential value of culturally sensitive adaptations of relationship education for same-sex couples. (PsycINFO Database Record

The Influence of Internalized Stigma on the Efficacy of an HIV Prevention and Relationship Education Program for Young Male Couples

“…Therefore, drawing on cognitive-behavioral interventions focused on reducing stigma-related stressors (46), couples-based HIV prevention and relationship education programs may benefit from teaching young MSM to identify and challenge maladaptive beliefs related to their sexual orientation, and this may be especially important for MSM who begin the intervention with higher internalized stigma. In fact, a relationship education program for male couples (47) included a group exercise in which participants were asked to identify common stereotypes about couples and then to evaluate them against existing data, which usually refuted them. Given that internalized stigma is associated with negative relationship outcomes (48), interventions that reduce internalized stigma may indirectly improve relationship functioning as well.…”

Results of Gottman Method Couples Therapy with Gay and Lesbian Couples

“…In the couples and family therapy field effect sizes of interventions with couples and families have been small, usually of the order of 0.5 standard deviation units (Pinsof & Wynne, , ). There was a recent randomized clinical trial of a psycho‐educational intervention with gay male couples by Whitton, Weitbrecht, Kuryluk, and Hutsell (), who reported an even smaller effect size of 0.19 from pre to post and 0.18 from pre to 3‐month follow up. As a beginning, the data from basic studies about same‐sex relationships were used to inform the modification of Gottman‐method couples’ therapy with gay and lesbian couples.…”

Integrating HIV Prevention and Relationship Education for Young Same-Sex Male Couples: A Pilot Trial of the 2GETHER Intervention

“…Meta-analysis indicates that these programs are effective in improving conflict-management skills, as well as global relationship satisfaction, among different-sex couples [36]. Recently, adaptations of evidence-based relationship education programs for same-sex couples have demonstrated acceptability to participants and positive effects on couple communication, conflict resolution, and relationship quality [37, 38]. Furthermore, research has detailed the various long-term mental and physical health benefits of healthy romantic relationships, including reducing depression and heavy alcohol use [39, 40].…”