Parental relationship and child development: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial for strengthening couples and children from pregnancy until four years after birth
Abstract Background The transition to parenthood is a critical phase for couples and often relationship relational well-being (i.e., relationship satisfaction) deteriorates. As parents’ relationship well-being is a significant predictor of children’s well-being, this decrease is also critical for children. Thus, strengthening couples during the transition to parenthood seems particularly important. Different intervention programmes targeting the transition to parenthood reported positive effects on relationship satisfaction, communication and child adjustment. This study protocol describes a randomized controlled trial for two couple-focused interventions, targeting the enhancement of partners’ relational skills (communication, dyadic coping, problem-solving, self-regulation in relationships) with the aim to improve relational well-being, partners’ well-being, coparenting and, consequently, foster healthy child development.Methods/design We randomly assigned mixed-sex couples to a high or low dose intervention or a waiting list control condition. The high dose intervention consists of a training of relational skills, whereas in the low dose condition participants receive a psychoeducational movie. Outcomes are assessed over 11 time points from the third trimester of pregnancy until four years after birth assessing self-report and home observations of couple- and parent-child interactions. Primary outcomes include relational skills, individual and relational well-being and coparenting; a secondary outcome is healthy child development. Statistical analyses include multilevel modelling, structural equation modelling as well as standard statistics.Discussion The aim of this study is to support families with couple-focused interventions and thus improve relational skills, relationship well-being, coparenting, individual well-being, and healthy child development. If the intervention reveals to be effective, we will target a broader dissemination.