TY - JOUR
T1 - Trajectories of Perceived Gratitude and Change Following Relationship Interventions
T2 - A Randomized Controlled Trial With Lower-Income, Help-Seeking Couples
AU - Barton, Allen W.
AU - Gong, Qiujie
AU - Guttman, Shayna
AU - Doss, Brian D.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
PY - 2024/3
Y1 - 2024/3
N2 - The current study was designed to advance basic and applied research on perceived gratitude from one's partner in established couple relationships. From a three-arm randomized controlled trial involving 615 lower-income, help-seeking couples (N = 1,224 individuals), study analyses examined (a) the trajectory of perceived gratitude from one's partner among couples assigned to the wait-list condition (i.e., absent of any intervention), and (b) changes in perceived gratitude for individuals assigned to either the OurRelationship (OR) or ePREP relationship intervention condition. With respect to the first aim, levels of perceived gratitude among wait-listed couples demonstrated no significant mean increase over the 6-month period; this rate of change was significantly different from rates of change observed in other relationship constructs (e.g., satisfaction, communication, support) during the wait-list period. Being married, female, and having more children were all associated with lower initial levels of perceived gratitude. For the second aim, individuals assigned to either the OR or ePREP treatment condition demonstrated significant improvements in levels of perceived partner gratitude compared to wait-listed couples. The magnitude of program effect sizes for gratitude (d = 0.33), however, was 3%–48% smaller compared to the magnitude of program effects of other relationship constructs (0.34 < d < 0.64). Results indicated that perceived gratitude is a distinct component of couple relationships, generally lower in more established relationships, and can be improved by participating in OR or ePREP relationship interventions. Implications for research and practice related to gratitude in couple relationships are discussed.
AB - The current study was designed to advance basic and applied research on perceived gratitude from one's partner in established couple relationships. From a three-arm randomized controlled trial involving 615 lower-income, help-seeking couples (N = 1,224 individuals), study analyses examined (a) the trajectory of perceived gratitude from one's partner among couples assigned to the wait-list condition (i.e., absent of any intervention), and (b) changes in perceived gratitude for individuals assigned to either the OurRelationship (OR) or ePREP relationship intervention condition. With respect to the first aim, levels of perceived gratitude among wait-listed couples demonstrated no significant mean increase over the 6-month period; this rate of change was significantly different from rates of change observed in other relationship constructs (e.g., satisfaction, communication, support) during the wait-list period. Being married, female, and having more children were all associated with lower initial levels of perceived gratitude. For the second aim, individuals assigned to either the OR or ePREP treatment condition demonstrated significant improvements in levels of perceived partner gratitude compared to wait-listed couples. The magnitude of program effect sizes for gratitude (d = 0.33), however, was 3%–48% smaller compared to the magnitude of program effects of other relationship constructs (0.34 < d < 0.64). Results indicated that perceived gratitude is a distinct component of couple relationships, generally lower in more established relationships, and can be improved by participating in OR or ePREP relationship interventions. Implications for research and practice related to gratitude in couple relationships are discussed.
KW - couples
KW - gratitude
KW - online intervention
KW - relationship education
KW - trajectory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85178590959&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85178590959&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.beth.2023.07.014
DO - 10.1016/j.beth.2023.07.014
M3 - Article
C2 - 38418049
AN - SCOPUS:85178590959
SN - 0005-7894
VL - 55
SP - 401
EP - 411
JO - Behavior Therapy
JF - Behavior Therapy
IS - 2
ER -