Different trajectories of relationship satisfaction among rural Black couples following preventive relationship intervention.

Objective: This study examined variability in response to a couple and relationship education program for Black coparenting couples using group-based trajectory modeling. We identified groups of couples with different relationship satisfaction trajectories across a 2-year period following preintervention assessment.

Method: Black couples with a preadolescent child were randomized to the Protecting Strong African American Families intervention (N = 170) or a control condition (N = 174) and reported on their relationship satisfaction preintervention and approximately 9, 17, and 25 months later.

Results: Results indicated two trajectory groups among men and women receiving the intervention, comprising a large group consistently high in relationship satisfaction over time and a smaller group with moderate, stable satisfaction over time. In the control condition, there was also a large group of men and women who remained consistently high in satisfaction, but the smaller group with initially moderate satisfaction experienced decreased satisfaction over time. Trajectories among men and women in the moderate groups differed by treatment condition, reflecting nonsignificant change (i.e., stable satisfaction) for those receiving intervention and significant decline for controls. Trajectories among women in the high group also differed by treatment condition, reflecting better functioning among women receiving intervention.

Conclusions: Results indicated many benefits of intervention, most notably the stabilization of satisfaction among couples beginning with moderate satisfaction (who experienced declining satisfaction in the control condition). Similar examination of within-sample variability in response to other couple and relationship education programs may enhance understanding of specific treatment effects and guide identification of those most likely to benefit from relationship intervention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).