Evaluation of the 14‐h together relationship and financial education program for couples

Abstract A 14‐h version of TOGETHER, a relationship and financial education program for couples (Author, 2015), was evaluated by comparing pre‐ and post‐intervention changes in psychological distress, relationship functioning, and financial management in couples that participated in this shorter 14‐h workshop (14HW) version, in the original 20‐h workshop (20HW) version, or in a control group that received no intervention. The total sample included 649 community couples (14HW group: 320; 20HW group:182; control group: 147) recruited from the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Self‐report data were analyzed through dyadic multilevel models to test mean differences within each group (control, 14HW, and 20HW) and across groups from pre‐intervention to post‐intervention controlling for demographic differences and baseline measurement of variables. Compared to the 20HW version, the 14HW format had lower attrition and greater participation. In addition, improvements in positive conflict management, relationship quality and satisfaction, and commitment, and reductions in negative conflict management and difficulties paying bills were not significantly different from the 20HW group, but they were significantly different from the control group. Participants reported high levels of program satisfaction. Limitations and programmatic implications, as well as the need for further evaluations of the 14HW version, are discussed.