Fostering healthy relationships: A preliminary investigation of relationship education

Abstract

Robust and healthy relationships are pivotal for overall well-being and wellness. Social support, the reduction of stigma, and the cultivation of quality time are critical elements in establishing and nurturing a healthy relationship as they bolster emotional well-being, enhance communication, and alleviate stress. The aim of this research study was to investigate the associations between quality time, social support, and self-stigma among couples (N = 518 dyads) engaged in a randomized controlled relationship education intervention, whether online or face to face. Longitudinal Actor–Partner Interdependence Models (L-APIM) were employed to investigate the dyadic correlations and the influence of the intervention's modality on the three outcomes observed at the 1-month postintervention follow-up. Results indicated that individuals tend to exhibit consistent perceptions of quality time, social support, self-stigma related to help-seeking, and threats to self-confidence regarding help-seeking, both at baseline and the subsequent 1-month follow-up. Results and implications are discussed.