A special section: Recruiting and retaining couples from underrepresented backgrounds in intervention research

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Couples from underrepresented backgrounds are often missing from intervention research.
• This exclusion limits the generalizability of findings and may lead to inaccessible services.
• Specialized recruitment and retention efforts are crucial for inclusivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the underrepresentation of diverse couples in intervention research.
• To summarize existing research on couple recruitment and retention.
• To provide recommendations for improving methodology in couple research.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on couple recruitment and retention.
• Synthesis of papers within a special section focused on diverse couples.
• Analysis of strategies for involving community members and reducing access barriers.

Main Results:

• Underrepresentation of diverse couples is a significant issue in intervention research.
• Effective recruitment and retention necessitate tailored approaches and community engagement.
• Accessible recruitment materials and service delivery environments are vital.

Conclusions:

• Future couple research must prioritize the inclusion of underrepresented populations.
• Involving community members from the outset is essential for successful recruitment.
• Reducing barriers to access and tailoring services enhances participation and equity.