Objective: Although low-income couples experience greater relationship challenges, they have limited access to effective relationship interventions. Furthermore, most previous efforts to improve low-income couples' relationships have yielded very small effects (Hawkins & Erickson, 2015). In an effort to overcome these limitations, this study investigated the effectiveness of 2 web-based interventions for low-income couples. Method: In total, 742 low-income couples (N ϭ 1,484 individuals; mean [M] age ϭ 33; 55% White, non-Hispanic; 52% married; median [Mdn] annual household income ϭ $27,000) were recruited nationally and randomized to the OurRelationship program, the ePREP program, or a waitlist control group. Couples were repeatedly assessed for 6 months using self-report measures of relationship satisfaction, communication conflict, intimate partner violence, emotional support, and breakup potential. Relationship status was assessed at 6-month follow-up. Results: Compared to the control group, intervention couples experienced significantly greater improvements in all 5 domains of relationship functioning (Mdn |d| ϭ 0.46) by the end of the program; these effects were maintained in the 4 months after treatment. However, neither program significantly reduced the frequency of breakups by the 6-month follow-up. Differences between couples in the two interventions were minimal (Mdn Cohen's |d| ϭ 0.11); however, couples in the OurRelationship program experienced significantly greater decreases in conflict (d ϭ 0.24). Conclusions: The results indicate that brief, web-based interventions can serve a central role in delivering effective services to low-income couples. Additionally, the general equivalence of the two interventions indicates that both communication-focused and problem-focused interventions can be successful in improving the relationship functioning of low-income couples. What is the public health significance of this article? Web-based interventions are effective in improving relationship functioning of low-income couples. Brief interventions, narrowly focused on improving relationship dynamics, are effective in overcoming multiple barriers to intervention reach and effectiveness in low-income populations. Both communication-focused and problem/insight-focused interventions can be effective for low-income couples.

Fluctuations in self-reported commitment (dedication) to a romantic relationship were examined among adults in well-established, but mostly unmarried, opposite sex relationships (N ϭ 616) over a period of 3 years, and the associations between individuals' own dedication fluctuations and relationship outcomes at a later time point were analyzed. Greater fluctuations in dedication were correlated with poorer relationship adjustment and more dissolution consideration; however, after controlling for individuals' initial levels and linear changes in dedication, fluctuations in dedication were associated with only dissolution consideration. Detrimental effects of fluctuations in dedication were strongest for individuals who reported higher levels of initial dedication. Individual-level fluctuations in dedication did not predict the likelihood of breaking up within the next year. These results demonstrate that fluctuations in commitment may be relevant for some relationship outcomes, while being less salient than its overall level and general trajectory over time for other outcomes. The current study differs from prior work by focusing on individuals in established relationships, and highlights the importance of longitudinal studies of commitment in relationships at all stages.

This study clarifies within-family and between-family links between marital functioning and child wellbeing. Expanding on existing prospective research, this study tests whether changes in parents’ marital functioning are associated with corresponding changes in their children’s wellbeing, independent from associations that exist when comparing different families. Participants (N = 1033) were members of married, opposite-sex couples with children who participated in five waves of a larger study of marriage in the U.S. Army. Spouses’ constructive communication, verbal conflict, and marital satisfaction each showed between-family associations with parent-reported child internalizing and externalizing problems. In contrast, within-family associations were significant only for parents’ communication behaviors. That is, parents who reported lower levels of marital satisfaction also reported lower child wellbeing, whereas change in parents’ communication was associated with change in child wellbeing over time. Isolating within-family effects is important for understanding marital and child functioning and for identifying potential targets for effective intervention.

This article provides a conceptual overview of commitment uncertainty and fluctuations in commitment. In doing so, we distinguish commitment uncertainty from related concepts, such as ambivalence about commitment and doubt. In addition, we describe the onset and course of commitment uncertainty. Finally, we highlight several issues regarding the treatment of individuals and couples who express commitment uncertainty.

This study examined the association between changes in commitment uncertainty and couple therapy outcomes. Thirty couples participated in couple therapy at a university training clinic. The results demonstrated that changes in commitment uncertainty explained approximately 8% of the variance in posttreatment relationship satisfaction and approximately 3% in posttreatment psychological well-being. For clients who started therapy with high levels of commitment uncertainty, there were small-to medium-sized gains in relationship satisfaction and for women, there were medium-to large-sized gains in psychological well-being. Implications for research and practice are offered.