MedDataX Logo

Better Together: A Web-based Relationship Education Tool

NCT03953495 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 22

Last updated 2020-12-04

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Health disparities have been documented in same-sex partnered women, including higher rates of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancers, and mental health disorders. Higher rates of smoking, substance use, and obesity are behavioral risk factors that contribute to these chronic health problems. Living in rural areas with fewer social supports and less access to culturally sensitive healthcare services may also contribute to health disparities in sexual minorities. Their stigmatized identity is linked to minority stress, a well-documented social determinant of health behaviors and outcomes. Coping responses are an important couple-level mechanism that link stigma-related (minority) stress and health in same-sex couples. Relationship education (RE) programming is a potentially effective approach to increasing positive dyadic-level coping skills that support health. In a sample of 40 female same-sex couples, investigators will test the hypothesis that couples who complete newly revised, web-based RE modules that target health-related coping responses to stigma-related stress will report immediate (post-intervention) and persistent (3-month follow up) positive effects on their relationship quality (e.g., positive communication and problem-solving, relationship satisfaction, perceived partner support), stigma-related coping behaviors, and health (e.g., reduced substance use, depression/anxiety, physical health symptoms). This intervention represents one of the first efforts to test the effects of a culturally appropriate web-based relationship education tool that specifically targets health-related coping behaviors in rural female same-sex couples, a stigmatized, high-risk, under-researched and under-resourced population.

Conditions

  • Same-Sex Relationships

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Better Together

The Better Together Intervention consists of a 7 self-paced online relationship education modules. Following an introductory and overview module couples will complete each of the following together on their web-connected device (computer, ipad, phone). Each module includes didactic material, demonstration vignettes, and guided discussions or skills building exercises. Module 1 focuses on identifying individual and relationship strengths; Module 2 focuses on destructive communication patterns, Module 3 focuses on positive communication skills; Module 4 teaches a problem-solving technique; Module 5 focuses on stress and coping; Module 6 focuses on relationship expectations and commitment, and Module 7 provides a summary of the program. Each module takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour to complete. Metrics will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 3 month follow up.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Sharon Scales Rostosky

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Sharon S Rostosky, Ph.D. · University of Kentucky

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2019-06-25
Primary Completion
2020-12-03
Completion
2020-12-03

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

Related Clinical Trials

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03953495 on ClinicalTrials.gov