Couple variables predicting retention in a brief intervention and research

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Couple distress is common, yet 20%-60% of couples drop out of therapy prematurely.
• Understanding predictors of retention is crucial, especially for marginalized populations.
• Participant retention impacts research generalizability and therapeutic benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify couple-level variables predicting retention in a brief couple intervention (The Relationship Checkup).
• Identify couple-level variables predicting retention in 1- and 6-month follow-up research participation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a two-level multi-level model.
• Analyzed data from 1310 couples participating in a home-visitation couple intervention.

Main Results:

• Lower retention in intervention for couples with Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American partners, or Hispanic/Latinx partners.
• Lower retention in research for couples with Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American partners (1 month), Hispanic/Latinx partners (1 & 6 months).
• Clinically significant relationship distress and relationship aggression at baseline also predicted lower research retention.

Conclusions:

• Clinicians and researchers must address barriers to retention for diverse and marginalized couples.
• Findings inform strategies to improve recruitment and retention in couple interventions and research.
• Enhancing retention is key to maximizing therapeutic benefits and ensuring research validity.