Online relationship education programs improve individual and relationship functioning: A meta-analytic review.

Publisher: Blackwell Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 7904614 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1752-0606 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 0194472X NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Marital Fam Ther Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: <2007->: Malden, Mass. : Blackwell
Original Publication: Washington, D.C., American Assn. for Marriage and Family Therapy

Personal Satisfaction* ; Quality of Life*; Anxiety ; Emotions ; Humans

Online access to relationship enhancing educational resources are needed now more than ever, and there is a growing number of available programs for couples to choose. But, what is the evidence that these programs improve individual and relationship well-being? We conducted a meta-analysis, using random-effects, examining individual and relationship outcomes of online relationship education programs. We identified 12 publications included in the analysis, and found that online relationship education programs produced significant effects in increasing relationship satisfaction, communication skills, relationship confidence, positive relationship qualities, and decreasing negative relationship qualities. At the individual-level, we found that online relationship programs reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms, increased health satisfaction, and overall quality of life. Additionally, we found no differences related to gender, whether or not couples were identified as "distressed," whether or not the programs were "enhanced," or length of the program.
(© 2021 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.)

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Keywords: couples; meta-analysis; online; relationships; resources

Date Created: 20210127 Date Completed: 20211028 Latest Revision: 20211028

20231215

10.1111/jmft.12491

33502054