https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Knopp2022

Knopp, K., Rashkovsky, K., Khalifian, C. E., Grubbs, K. M., Doss, B. D., Depp, C. A., Glynn, S. M., & Morland, L. A. (2022). Pilot open trial of the OurRelationship online couples’ program in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 11(1), 33-41. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000196

OurRelationship is a brief online intervention designed to help couples maintain strong intimate relationships. Initial testing of program effects was conducted with 13 Veterans and their romantic partners, who completed online modules and telephone-based coaching calls over a 2-month period. This study assessed the program’s feasibility (i.e., enrollment and completion), acceptability (i.e., satisfaction and open-ended feedback), and effectiveness (i.e., improvement in relationship satisfaction and distress, conflict, quality of life, and depressive symptoms). Qualitative feedback was also provided by participants to inform future adaptations of the program. Preliminary results suggest that OurRelationship appears to be feasible, acceptable, and effective in improving relationship outcomes.

https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000196

Couples
Veterans
Programming

Multiple branches

Veteran

Veteran
Spouse of service member or veteran

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Longitudinal Study
Quantitative Study
Qualitative Study

Knopp, Kayla, Rashkovsky, Katerine, Khalifian, Chandra E., Grubbs, Kathleen M., Doss, Brian D., Depp, Colin A., Glynn, Shirley M., Morland, Leslie A.

Military-related stressors place veterans at increased risk of intimate relationship problems, which are detrimental to physical health, mental health, and well-being. Couple and family interventions for veterans are effective, and veteran access to family-based care is mandated by law. However, many veteran couples experience barriers to accessing care. OurRelationship is a coached online relationship program that may help meet veterans’ needs for accessible couples’ interventions. Although OurRelationship is effective with community couples, it has not been implemented or evaluated in a Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center setting. The present study piloted the OurRelationship program at a VA site in the southwestern United States to examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the program. Thirteen veterans and their partners enrolled in an open trial and provided baseline and postprogram data on relationship and individual functioning as well as qualitative feedback about their program experiences. Feasibility was supported by meeting recruitment goals, implementing all parts of the online program and coaching sessions, and a completion rate of 85%. Couples reported moderate to high satisfaction with the existing program but also suggested veteran-specific adaptations, including more attention to cognitive and mental health challenges. Veterans and partners exhibited small improvements in relationship satisfaction, distress, depression, and quality of life, with partners showing larger improvements in relationship conflict and quality of life. These results suggest OurRelationship can help expand access to family care for veterans; however, a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of a version of the OurRelationship program tailored to veterans is needed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

American Psychological Association

Article
REACH Publication

Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, KK