A brief web-based romantic attachment psychoeducational intervention for emerging adults: a pilot randomized...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Relationship Science
• Intervention Studies

Background:

• Romantic attachment orientations (anxiety, avoidance) influence relationship initiation and maintenance.
• Emerging adults face unique challenges in forming and sustaining healthy romantic relationships.
• Psychoeducational interventions can provide tools for improving relationship choices and conflict resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a web-based psychoeducational intervention (HEAL) for emerging adults.
• To assess the impact of the HEAL program on relationship decision-making confidence and communication skills.
• To explore the mediating roles of attachment knowledge and communication confidence in program outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 416 emerging adult college students.
• Participants were assigned to either the HEAL intervention or a time-matched control video.
• Follow-up surveys were administered two weeks post-intervention to assess outcomes.

Main Results:

• The HEAL program was found to be feasible and acceptable to participants.
• HEAL participants reported increased confidence in relationship decision-making, mediated by attachment knowledge and general communication confidence.
• Participants in relationships showed improved communication, mediated by relationship-specific attachment knowledge and partner-specific communication confidence.

Conclusions:

• The HEAL program demonstrates preliminary support for being a feasible, acceptable, and helpful intervention for emerging adults.
• Findings suggest the HEAL program can enhance attachment-related knowledge and communication skills, leading to better relationship outcomes.
• The study highlights the potential of web-based psychoeducation in supporting healthy romantic relationships during emerging adulthood.