The Alliance in Relationship Education Programs

Abstract

Couple relationship education (CRE) programs are associated with positive romantic relationship outcomes; however, the mechanisms by which these gains occur are less understood. The current study (122 couples) utilized actor-partner modeling to examine the association between the therapeutic alliance and dedication and negative and positive communication for racial/ethnic minority couples. Additionally, we examined whether gender and delivery format moderated these relationships. Results demonstrated that both men's and women's alliance scores were significantly related to their own outcomes. Higher ratings of alliance were related to partner outcomes for men only. The association between partners' alliance and dedication outcomes was stronger within the group format as compared to the couple format. Implications for leaders of CRE programs are offered.

Examining Parental Alliance for Low-Income Participants Who Attended Relationship Education With or Without a Partner

“…For example, research has not examined the influence of specific CRE tools on relationship outcomes. The influence of participating in a group workshop format has only recently been examined (e.g., Quirk, Owen, Inch, France, & Bergen, 2013). Further, couples who participate and complete CRE typically demonstrate an intentional commitment to improve their relationship.…”

Up and Down or Down and Up? The Process of Change in Constructive Couple Behavior during Traditional and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy

“…The common factor research paradigm focuses on processes of change related to client, therapist, or relationship characteristics. For example, substantial support has emerged for the importance of the therapeutic alliance in couple interventions from a meta‐analysis (Friedlander, Escudero, Heatherington, & Diamond, ) as well as studies on therapy (e.g., Anker, Owen, Duncan, & Sparks, ; Knobloch‐Fedders, Pinsof, & Mann, ) and relationship education programs (e.g., Quirk, Owen, Inch, France, & Bergen, ).…”

The Role of the Facilitator in Couple Relationship Education

“…Quirk et al. (), whose sample characteristics were closest to those in the current study, found large actor effects of the facilitation alliance on negative communication and small actor effects on positive communication, relationship confidence and dedication for both men and women. Additionally, men's stronger alliance was related to their partner's improved communication and confidence/dedication, suggesting that there are systemic effects between partners.…”

“…Notably, recent findings suggest that efforts to maximize the efficacy of CRE programs may also need to evaluate this overlooked asset—the CRE facilitation alliance. Two recent studies examining effects of the facilitation alliance found that key relationship outcomes from pre‐ to posttest varied based on the level of the alliance between facilitator and participant (Owen, Rhoades, Stanley, & Markman, ; Quirk, Owen, Inch, France, & Bergen, ). The current study seeks to expand the literature examining the association between the facilitation alliance and relationship outcomes for a diverse group of couples participating in CRE.…”