Montefiore Medical Center Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Program

The objective of the proposed evaluation is to delineate those factors and sub-groups that
account for the observed impact of HMRE services on the quality of relationships.
Specifically, we are interested in investigating the following factors:

1. Commitment: Are couples that are more committed to each other (measured in terms of
marital status, duration of relationship, or relationship commitment scale scores) more
motivated to attend a greater number of HMRE workshops? Do they actually learn more
relationship skills, and report improvements in their relationship quality?

2. Hopefulness: How does hopefulness about the relationship impact outcomes?

3. Dosage: Is attendance at a greater number of workshops related to improvements in
relationship satisfaction and relationship quality?

4. Couple characteristics: How are various demographic factors related to observed
outcomes?

5. Skill acquisition: How much did couples actually learn during the course of the
relationship workshop?

In order to explore these research questions, we will be conducting an evaluation that
utilizes pre-and post-survey data and qualitative interview information from participants.
This will be a descriptive study and not a random assignment design. Data collection will
begin when couples who expressed interest in the program attend a preliminary interview with
one of Montefiore's clinical staff on site. The program and study will be explained to the
couple and they will be asked to consent to participate. Once consent is gathered, on-site
staff will administer measures required by our funders through an online system called nForm,
or Information, Family Outcomes, Reporting, and Management. This online system was developed
by Mathematica Policy Research, an agency contracted by the Department of Health and Human
Services to conduct a Cross-Site evaluation of all grantees who received funding to provide
relationship education services. Preliminary demographic information will be collected
through surveys completed by participants online through secure web browsing at a Montefiore
facility.

Inclusion Criteria:

- In a committed relationship

- 18 years or older

- expecting a child or are caring for a child in the home at least 50% of the time
(biological, foster, adopted, kinship care, etc.)

Exclusion Criteria:

- Active intimate partner violence and increased risk of intimate partner violence