Which Relationship Service Fits Best? Teaching the Difference Between Relationship Education and Couples Therapy

Abstract

Current evidence suggests that many people do not understand the difference between relationship education (RE) and couples therapy (CT). A major facet of the theory of planned behavior suggests that attitudes play a large role in shaping intentions and behavior, including the decision to attend a relationship service. If the public does not distinguish between RE and CT, bur rather believe RE and CT are the same, fewer people may be inclined to attend RE. For this study, a brief, online module was created to teach the difference between RE and CT. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group receiving the module, or to a control group. Both groups completed a pretest and two sets of posttests (1 day and 1 month after pretest). Results showed that the module had an effect on clarifying the difference between RE and CT, boosting positive appraisals of the helpfulness of RE and CT, and some effect on the intentions to seek and attend relationship services. As an implication of this work, family life education media campaigns can help to increase knowledge of the types of services available and aid in the decision to attend.