Couple variables predicting retention in a brief intervention and research. Issue 3 (23rd May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mitchell, Erica A.; Roberson, Patricia N. E.; Amer, Zahra; Garcia, Darren J.; Cordova, James V.; Gordon, Kristina Coop
• Is Part Of: Family process. Volume 61:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 1180
• Page End: 1194
• Publication Date: 2022-05-23
• Subjects: clinical intervention -- couples -- quantitative research -- retention; 夫妻 -- 持续治疗 -- 临床干预 -- 定量研究; Family psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Families -- Periodicals; 616.8915
• DOI: 10.1111/famp.12783
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-7370

Abstract

Abstract: Therapy is an effective form of treatment for couple distress; yet, research shows that 20%–60% of couples terminate treatment prematurely. Predictors of couple retention in therapy and research are unclear, particularly for couples from marginalized populations, which has important implications for the quality and generalizability of research results, and the benefits derived from therapy are limited when participants are not retained. The purpose of this study ( N = 1310) was to identify couple‐level variables that predict (1) retention in a brief, two‐session couple intervention (The Relationship Checkup) delivered as a home visitation program and (2) retention in research participation at 1‐ and 6‐month follow‐up. Hypotheses were tested using a two‐level multi‐level model. Couples are significantly less likely to be retained in the brief intervention if (1) at least one partner identifies as Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American, (2) at least one partner identifies as Hispanic/Latinx, or (3) both partners report mental or emotional health as a concern in their relationship. Couples are significantly less likely to be retained in research if (1) at least one partner identifies as Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American (1 month only), (2) at least one partner identifies as Hispanic/Latinx (1 and 6 months), (3) if either partner reports clinically significant relationship distress at baseline (1 and 6 months), or (4) if either partner reports relationship aggression at baseline (6 months only). These findings are discussed with relevance to clinicians and researchers to recruit and retain more diverse and marginalized participants in couple interventions and follow‐up research. 摘要: 心理治疗是一种有效的解决情侣困扰的方式；然而，研究表明，20–60%的情侣过早地终止了治疗。夫妻在治疗和研究中继续保持的预测因素并不清楚，特别是来自边缘化人群的夫妻，这对研究结果的质量和普遍性有重要影响，如果参与者不能持续治疗，那么从治疗中获得的好处是有限的。本研究(N = 1310)的目的是确定夫妻层面的变量，以预测(a)在一个简短的，两节的夫妻干预(关系检查)作为家访计划的持续治疗，以及(b)在1个月和6个月的后续研究参与的持续治疗。假设用一个两级多层次的模型进行检验。如果(1)至少有一方被认定为亚洲人、太平洋岛民或美国原住民，(2)至少有一方被认定为西班牙裔/拉丁裔，或(3)双方都报告心理或情绪健康是他们关系中的一个问题，那么夫妇在简短干预中持续治疗的可能性就会明显降低。如果(1)至少有一方被认定为亚裔、太平洋岛民或美国原住民(仅1个月)，(2)至少有一方被认定为西班牙裔/拉丁裔(1个月和6个月)，(3)如果任何一方在基线(1个月和6个月)报告有临床意义的关系困扰，或(4)如果任何一方在基线(仅6个月)报告关系攻击，则夫妇继续接受研究的可能性明显降低。这些发现对临床医生和研究人员招募和保留更多不同的和边缘化的参与者进行情侣干预和后续研究有一定的意义。