OurRelationship for Veteran Couples

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Nov 15, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The clinical trial titled "OurRelationship for Veteran Couples" is studying a new online program designed to help improve the relationships of veterans and their partners. Research shows that when veterans experience problems in their relationships, it can negatively affect their mental and physical health. This trial aims to see if the OurRelationship program can effectively support veterans and their loved ones in strengthening their relationships, ultimately enhancing their overall quality of life.

To participate in this study, couples must include a veteran who is receiving care at the VA San Diego Healthcare System and their spouse or romantic partner. Both partners should be able to communicate in English, have been together for at least a year, and must report feeling significant distress in their relationship. Participants will need internet access for the online program and will have some sessions with a coach via telehealth (video calls). It's important to note that certain individuals, such as those with severe mental health issues or recent substance use disorders, may not be eligible to join the trial. Participants can expect to engage in a supportive and structured program that aims to make their relationship stronger.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Participants will be couples consisting of a Veteran referred from a mental health care clinic at VA San Diego Healthcare System and their spouse or romantic partner who is willing to participate
• * Couples must:
• • both speak, read, and write English
• • be married, living together, or in a relationship for at least 12 months
• • endorse clinically significant relationship distress by one or both partner's reports (i.e., \< 104.5 on the Couples Satisfaction Index-32)
• • have internet access sufficient to complete the online program and attend telehealth visits
• • be willing to have telehealth coach sessions audio-recorded
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Couples will be excluded if either partner reports
• • an active substance use disorder within the past three months (i.e., 2+ on the TAPS screening tool for a single substance followed by positive diagnosis in clinical interview)
• • a diagnosis of a psychotic or bipolar disorder with current uncontrolled symptoms (by self-report)
• • a diagnosis of severe cognitive impairment or intellectual disability (by self-report)
• • severe physical or sexual relationship aggression during the past 12 months (i.e., 10+ on the Hurt-Insult-Threaten-Scream \[HITS\] screening tool followed by clinical interview)
• • current suicidal ideation or behavior determined to be high-risk according to current VA clinical assessment protocols (i.e., "yes" on any high-risk items on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale)
• • suicide-related hospitalizations within the past 12 months (by self-report)