Mechanisms of change in alcohol use in online relationship programs for distressed couples

Although interventions exist for couples with alcohol use problems, web-based adaptations are in their early stages. Online programs for general relationship distress sharing elements with couple therapies for alcohol use may be an effective adjunctive intervention even without directly targeting alcohol use. This study evaluated whether two online interventions for general relationship distress decreased alcohol use and whether improvements in individual and relationship-level mechanisms contributed to reductions in alcohol use during and after the intervention.

Couples (N = 248) with at least one partner with problematic alcohol use were randomly assigned to the OurRelationship, e-Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program program, or a waitlist control group. Over 6 months, couples repeatedly completed self-report measures on their alcohol use and five mechanisms: negative communication, perceived criticism, anger, anxious, and depressed mood.

Couples in both programs (vs. waitlist couples) had greater improvements in alcohol use and all mechanisms except for anger. Improvements in mechanisms were associated with improvements in alcohol use during the intervention, but not the maintenance of reduced alcohol use during follow-up.

Results suggest that couples experienced benefits despite the absence of content tailored specifically to alcohol use. Since improvements through the mechanisms occurred only during the intervention, evaluating the impact of online relationship program on other areas of functioning, such as community connectedness may prove useful in understanding sustained reductions in alcohol use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).